--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A cold and searching wind drives away all…" description: "\"A cold and searching wind drives away all contagion, and nothing can withstand it but what has a virtue in it, and accordingly, whatever we meet with i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/henry-david-thoreau-20_all-things_a-cold-and-searching-wind-drives-away-al_85266.jpg" --- # A cold and searching wind drives away all contagion, and… ![“A cold and searching wind drives away all contagion, and nothing can withstand it but what has a virtue in it, and accordingly, whatever we meet with in cold and bleak places, as the tops of mountains, we respect for a sort of sturdy innocence, a Puritan toughness. All things beside seem to be…” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/henry-david-thoreau-20_all-things_a-cold-and-searching-wind-drives-away-al_85266.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/henry-david-thoreau-20_all-things_a-cold-and-searching-wind-drives-away-al_85266.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/henry-david-thoreau-20_all-things_a-cold-and-searching-wind-drives-away-al_85266.jpg) > “A cold and searching wind drives away all contagion, and nothing can withstand it but what has a virtue in it, and accordingly, whatever we meet with in cold and bleak places, as the tops of mountains, we respect for a sort of sturdy innocence, a Puritan toughness. All things beside seem to be called in for shelter, and what stays out must be part of the original frame of the universe, and of such valor as God himself.” [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Nature's harshness reveals the essential strength and purity of things that endure, suggesting that true virtue withstands adversity while the rest seeks refuge. **In simple terms:** Harsh environments expose true virtue. Key Takeaway Adversity tests authenticity. Themes nature virtue resilience spirituality puritanism Mood awe reverence determination Type philosophical nature-inspired spiritual When to use this quote - mountain climbing - winter survival - philosophical contemplation - spiritual reflection Key Concepts strength purity adversity shelter Practical Applications - writing about nature - teaching resilience Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to be 'sturdy innocence' in modern life? - How can we identify what is truly essential versus what seeks shelter? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) [Contagion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contagion/) [Creation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creation/) [Innocence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innocence/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Puritan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puritan/) [Shelter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shelter/) [Toughness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toughness/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Valor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valor/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Wind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wind/) [Winter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winter/) ## Related quotes > [Mountains in all their moods are symbols of something greater, something worth aspiring to. 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