--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have found that no exertion of the legs…" description: "\"“I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two minds much nearer to the other”\" — Henry David Thoreau" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/henry-david-thoreau-20_exertion_i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-leg_622248.jpg" --- # I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two… ![“I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two minds much nearer to the other” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/henry-david-thoreau-20_exertion_i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-leg_622248.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/henry-david-thoreau-20_exertion_i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-leg_622248.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/henry-david-thoreau-20_exertion_i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-leg_622248.jpg) > ““I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two minds much nearer to the other”” [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. Physical activity alone cannot bridge emotional or intellectual gaps between people; true connection requires deeper engagement. **In simple terms:** Exercise doesn't bring minds together. Key Takeaway Seek deeper emotional connection. Themes communication intimacy mindset Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - friendship - romantic relationships - teamwork Key Concepts emotional intimacy intellectual connection Questions to Reflect On - How do you foster true connection? - What activities deepen mind‑to‑mind bonds? A Different Perspective Physical proximity without emotional effort is insufficient. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Two minds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-minds/) ## Related quotes > [I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two minds much nearer to one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-legs-can-bring-two-minds-much-2/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Hot legs, bring your Mother, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stewart/hot-legs-bring-your-mother-too/) [Rod Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stewart/) > [“What sort of space is that which separates a man from his fellows and makes him solitary? I have found that no exertion of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/what-sort-of-space-is-that-which-separates-a-man-from-his-fellows-and/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The millions are awake enough for physical labor; but only one in a million is awake enough for effective intellectual exertion, only one in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-millions-are-awake-enough-for-physical-labor-but-only-one-in-a-2/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [From exertion come wisdom and purity; from sloth ignorance and sensuality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/from-exertion-come-wisdom-and-purity-from-sloth-ignorance-and/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I have not yet learned to live, that I can see, and I fear that I shall not very soon. I find, however, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-have-not-yet-learned-to-live-that-i-can-see-and-i-fear-that-i-shall/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The millions are awake enough for physical labor; but only one in a million is awake enough for effective intellectual exertion, only one in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-millions-are-awake-enough-for-physical-labor-but-only-one-in-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [When my legs begin to move, the thoughts begin to flow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/when-my-legs-begin-to-move-the-thoughts-begin-to-flow/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“When enlightened souls come in contact with ignorant people like you, they have to speak in YOUR language, because you are not yet qualified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-pemmaraju/when-enlightened-souls-come-in-contact-with-ignorant-people-like-you/) [Ramana Pemmaraju](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-pemmaraju/) > [“It will not, however, affect one tiny bit the question of whether the text has a literal meaning because—mark this—every biblical text has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shea/it-will-not-however-affect-one-tiny-bit-the-question-of-whether-the/) Mark Shea > [“We have two minds. One thinks, the other knows. The mind that knows goes back many lifetimes. This is the mind of the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-hayes/we-have-two-minds-one-thinks-the-other-knows-the-mind-that-knows-goes/) Forrest Hayes > [“One will in two minds, one heart in two bodies, and two bodies in one flesh.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-pettie/one-will-in-two-minds-one-heart-in-two-bodies-and-two-bodies-in-one/) George Pettie > [As a writer, you always read in two minds: You read as a reader and you enjoy it, and you look at it as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/as-a-writer-you-always-read-in-two-minds-you-read-as-a-reader-and-you/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [In every man there are two minds that work side by side, the one checking the other; thus emotion stands against reason, intellect corrects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ford-madox-ford/in-every-man-there-are-two-minds-that-work-side-by-side-the-one/) [Ford Madox Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ford-madox-ford/) > [I'm in two minds about the Kardashians. When I think about what's important in life I get worried that my niece looks up to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naughty-boy/i-m-in-two-minds-about-the-kardashians-when-i-think-about-what-s/) [Naughty Boy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naughty-boy/) ## More by Henry David Thoreau > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“Men say they know many things; But lo! they have taken wings, — The arts and sciences, And a thousand appliances; The wind that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/men-say-they-know-many-things-but-lo-they-have-taken-wings-the-arts/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“This spending of the best part of one's life earning money in order to enjoy a questionable liberty during the least valuable part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/this-spending-of-the-best-part-of-one-s-life-earning-money-in-order/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [A traveler who looks at things with an impartial eye may see what the oldest inhabitant has not observed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/a-traveler-who-looks-at-things-with-an-impartial-eye-may-see-what-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [In proportion as our inward life fails, we go more constantly and desperately to the post office. You may depend on it, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/in-proportion-as-our-inward-life-fails-we-go-more-constantly-and/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-had-three-chairs-in-my-house-one-for-solitude-two-for-friendship/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The still youthful energies of the globe have only to be directed in their proper channel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-still-youthful-energies-of-the-globe-have-only-to-be-directed-in/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Concord's little arch does not span all our fate, nor is what transpires under it law for the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/concord-s-little-arch-does-not-span-all-our-fate-nor-is-what/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The lumberers rarely trouble themselves to put out their fires, such is the dampness of the primitive forest; and this is one cause, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-lumberers-rarely-trouble-themselves-to-put-out-their-fires-such/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“When he has obtained those things which are necessary to life, there is another alternative than to obtain the superfluities; and that is, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/when-he-has-obtained-those-things-which-are-necessary-to-life-there/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Wealth is measured by the level of experience in all aspects of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/wealth-is-measured-by-the-level-of-experience-in-all-aspects-of-life/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Explore all 3,376 Henry David Thoreau quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## More Exertion quotes > [“It is not the actual, physical exertion that counts towards one’s progress, not the nature of the task but by the spirit of faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-not-the-actual-physical-exertion-that-counts-towards-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are two sorts of content; one is connected with exertion, the other with habits of indolence. The first is a virtue; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-edgeworth/there-are-two-sorts-of-content-one-is-connected-with-exertion-the/) [Maria Edgeworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-edgeworth/) > [Used with due abstinence, hope acts as a healthful tonic; intemperately indulged, as an enervating opiate. The visions of future triumph, which at first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fitzjames-stephen/used-with-due-abstinence-hope-acts-as-a-healthful-tonic-intemperately/) [James Fitzjames Stephen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fitzjames-stephen/) > [All that the Y.M.C.A.'s horse and rings really accomplished was to fill me with an ineradicable distaste, not only for Christian endeavor in all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/all-that-the-y-m-c-a-s-horse-and-rings-really-accomplished-was-to/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [“He was dangerous. And difficult. And he was all mine. Sometimes in the morning, when he worked in the gym one floor below, I’d…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-was-dangerous-and-difficult-and-he-was-all-mine-sometimes-in-the/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [Nowledge is not a passion from without the mind, but an active exertion of the inward strength, vigor and power of the mind, displaying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-cudworth/nowledge-is-not-a-passion-from-without-the-mind-but-an-active/) [Ralph Cudworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-cudworth/) > [Before thou callest a man hero or genius, investigate whether his exertion has features of indelibility; for all that is celestial, all genius, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/before-thou-callest-a-man-hero-or-genius-investigate-whether-his/) [Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/) > [Perhaps the chief cause which has retarded the progress of poetry in America, is the want of that exclusive cultivation, which so noble a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/perhaps-the-chief-cause-which-has-retarded-the-progress-of-poetry-in/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [customary interruptions are not only gratifying and cheering, but they are also really necessary in order to gain breath and voice to carry one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-siddons/customary-interruptions-are-not-only-gratifying-and-cheering-but-they/) [Sarah Siddons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-siddons/) > [Perhaps there is no gift of nature that requires as little exertion on the part of the owner as personal beauty. I am not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-harte/perhaps-there-is-no-gift-of-nature-that-requires-as-little-exertion/) [Bret Harte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-harte/) > [Let the Saints remember that great things depend on their individual exertion, and that they are called to be co-workers with us and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/let-the-saints-remember-that-great-things-depend-on-their-individual/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [The sweetest of all success is that which one wins by hard exertion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/the-sweetest-of-all-success-is-that-which-one-wins-by-hard-exertion/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [Communism requires of its adherents that they arise early and participate in a strenuous round of calisthenics. 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Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-c-bryant/) Browse all 244 Exertion quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two minds much nearer to the other”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henry David Thoreau" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-legs-can-bring-two-minds-much/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Exertion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-legs-can-bring-two-minds-much/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/henry-david-thoreau-20_exertion_i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-leg_622248.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/henry-david-thoreau-20_exertion_i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-leg_622248.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/henry-david-thoreau-20_exertion_i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-leg_622248.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two minds much nearer to the other” — Henry David Thoreau", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Henry David Thoreau", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I have found that no exertion...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-legs-can-bring-two-minds-much/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-have-found-that-no-exertion-of-the-legs-can-bring-two-minds-much/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```