--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I found in myself, and still find, an…" description: "\"I found in myself, and still find, an instinct toward a higher, or, as it is named, spiritual life, as do most men, and another toward a primitive rank..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/henry-david-thoreau-20_age_i-found-in-myself-and-still-find-an-inst_3206006.jpg" --- # I found in myself, and still find, an instinct toward a… ![“I found in myself, and still find, an instinct toward a higher, or, as it is named, spiritual life, as do most men, and another toward a primitive rank and savage one, and I reverence them both. I love the wild not less than the good.” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/henry-david-thoreau-20_age_i-found-in-myself-and-still-find-an-inst_3206006.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/henry-david-thoreau-20_age_i-found-in-myself-and-still-find-an-inst_3206006.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/henry-david-thoreau-20_age_i-found-in-myself-and-still-find-an-inst_3206006.jpg) > “I found in myself, and still find, an instinct toward a higher, or, as it is named, spiritual life, as do most men, and another toward a primitive rank and savage one, and I reverence them both. I love the wild not less than the good.” [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. Thoreau observes a dual instinct in humans: one toward refined, spiritual life and another toward raw, primitive nature, and he respects both. **In simple terms:** People feel both refined and wild urges and value both. Key Takeaway Embrace both spiritual and natural sides. Themes nature spirituality dualism respect humanity Mood reflective contemplative Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - environmental appreciation - creative expression - mindfulness - conflict resolution Key Concepts philosophy psychology anthropology Questions to Reflect On - How do you honor both your refined and primitive impulses? - What practices help integrate these sides? A Different Perspective Balancing these instincts can cause inner tension and societal misunderstanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Instinct Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct-higher-5971294/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Primitive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/primitive/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Reverence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reverence/) [Reverence Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reverence-love-1237107/) [Savage Reverence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/savage-reverence-5971295/) [Savages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/savages/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spiritual life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-life/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wild/) [Wild Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wild-good-5971296/) ## Related quotes > [Mine was, as it were, the connecting link between wild and cultivated fields; as some states are civilized, and others half-civilized, and others savage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/mine-was-as-it-were-the-connecting-link-between-wild-and-cultivated/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [How far men go for the material of their houses! 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