Admitting Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“Think of admitting the details of a single case of the criminal court into our thoughts, to stalk profanely through their very sanctum sanctorum for an hour, ay, for many hours! to make a very barroom of the mind's inmost apartment, as if for so long the dust of the street had occupied us,--the very street itself, with all its travel, its bustle, and filth, had passed through our thoughts' shrine! Would it not be an intellectual and moral suicide?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Civil Disobedience”, 1849
Obsessing over a single legal case can dominate thought, crowding out broader moral perspective and leading to intellectual stagnation.
In simple terms: Focusing too much on one case narrows mind.
Key Takeaway
Maintain balanced perspective.
Themes
law
morality
focus
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
introspective
When to use this quote
- legal work
- journalism
- academic research
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
ethical analysis
mental discipline
Questions to Reflect On
- What case consumes your thoughts?
- How can you broaden your mental scope?
A Different Perspective
Depth in one area can be valuable; avoid total immersion.
