--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To enjoy a thing exclusively is commonly…" description: "\"To enjoy a thing exclusively is commonly to exclude yourself from the true enjoyment of it.\" — Henry David Thoreau" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/henry-david-thoreau-20_enjoy_to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly_880572.jpg" --- # To enjoy a thing exclusively is commonly to exclude… ![“To enjoy a thing exclusively is commonly to exclude yourself from the true enjoyment of it.” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/henry-david-thoreau-20_enjoy_to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly_880572.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/henry-david-thoreau-20_enjoy_to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly_880572.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/henry-david-thoreau-20_enjoy_to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly_880572.jpg) > “To enjoy a thing exclusively is commonly to exclude yourself from the true enjoyment of it.” [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. Excessive exclusivity can prevent genuine appreciation and connection with something. **In simple terms:** Being too exclusive blocks true enjoyment. Key Takeaway Seek inclusive, balanced enjoyment. Themes balance enjoyment exclusivity Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal hobbies - social events - art appreciation - travel experiences Key Concepts philosophy mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How does exclusivity affect your relationships? - Can you find joy without owning? A Different Perspective Exclusivity may protect personal standards but can also isolate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enjoyment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoyment/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/) ## Related quotes > [“To enjoy a thing exclusively is commonly to exlcude yourself from the true enjoyment of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly-to-exlcude-yourself-from-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The acquisition of will, for one thing exclusively, presupposes entire acquaintance with many others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/the-acquisition-of-will-for-one-thing-exclusively-presupposes-entire/) [Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/) > [Madness is to think of too many things in succession too fast, or of one thing too exclusively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/madness-is-to-think-of-too-many-things-in-succession-too-fast-or-of/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [I turned my face more exclusively than ever to the woods, where I was better known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-turned-my-face-more-exclusively-than-ever-to-the-woods-where-i-was/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I eat the way I do because I really enjoy it but also because it's the only thing I've found that helps me manage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-woodward/i-eat-the-way-i-do-because-i-really-enjoy-it-but-also-because-it-s/) [Ella Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-woodward/) > [When it rains, nobody hides inside. You just go out and enjoy it. The other thing I remember is begging my grandmother for money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheem-sterling/when-it-rains-nobody-hides-inside-you-just-go-out-and-enjoy-it-the/) [Raheem Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheem-sterling/) > [When your friends win tournaments it is good for you in a way because it does fire you up. You see what it means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-poulter/when-your-friends-win-tournaments-it-is-good-for-you-in-a-way-because/) [Ian Poulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-poulter/) > [If you don't enjoy something you can't keep at it. That's the thing that sticks with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cavendish/if-you-don-t-enjoy-something-you-can-t-keep-at-it-that-s-the-thing/) [Mark Cavendish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cavendish/) > [I'm not interested in anything but emotionally driven stories; that's why almost all of my work is exclusively anchored by women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-murphy/i-m-not-interested-in-anything-but-emotionally-driven-stories-that-s/) [Ryan Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-murphy/) > [My experience of dancing is exclusively at weddings or parties with alcohol involved and in the dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelvin-fletcher/my-experience-of-dancing-is-exclusively-at-weddings-or-parties-with/) [Kelvin Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelvin-fletcher/) > [“Freiheit ist immer die Freiheit des Andersdenkenden Freedom is always, and exclusively, freedom for the one who thinks differently.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosa-luxemburg/freiheit-ist-immer-die-freiheit-des-andersdenkenden-freedom-is-always/) [Rosa Luxemburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosa-luxemburg/) > [I'm not exclusively into R&B. I like Usher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neha-dhupia/i-m-not-exclusively-into-r-b-i-like-usher/) [Neha Dhupia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neha-dhupia/) > [The assets of the Jewish National Home must be created exclusively through our own work, for only the product of the Hebrew labor can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ben-gurion/the-assets-of-the-jewish-national-home-must-be-created-exclusively/) [David Ben-Gurion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ben-gurion/) > [“All the knowledge I possess every one else can acquire, but my heart is exclusively my own.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/all-the-knowledge-i-possess-every-one-else-can-acquire-but-my-heart/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Science deals exclusively with things as they are in themselves; and art exclusively with things as they affect the human sense and human soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/science-deals-exclusively-with-things-as-they-are-in-themselves-and/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) ## 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 Enjoy quotes > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [The Fringe is by far my favorite time of year; I like everything about it. But there are people I know who are much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-horne/the-fringe-is-by-far-my-favorite-time-of-year-i-like-everything-about/) [Alex Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-horne/) > [I remember that the bass was turned up slightly more on the mix from last week, and I thought that was good - or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ronson/i-remember-that-the-bass-was-turned-up-slightly-more-on-the-mix-from/) [Mark Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ronson/) > [The Germans will make a few scattered attacks, then go away. The Romans will enjoy a fine September.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pietro-badoglio/the-germans-will-make-a-few-scattered-attacks-then-go-away-the-romans/) Pietro Badoglio > [I don't enjoy killing, but when done righteously, it's just a chore, like any other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua/i-don-t-enjoy-killing-but-when-done-righteously-it-s-just-a-chore/) [Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua/) > [I enjoy upsetting the right people. I love poking fun at earnest censors. I want to push the bounds of what can be said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milo-yiannopoulos/i-enjoy-upsetting-the-right-people-i-love-poking-fun-at-earnest/) [Milo Yiannopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milo-yiannopoulos/) > [I don't own a yacht or a flashy car. I've always had safe cars because I do so much driving. I don't think I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-rippon/i-don-t-own-a-yacht-or-a-flashy-car-i-ve-always-had-safe-cars-because/) [Angela Rippon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-rippon/) > [I really enjoy going to play for the national team and be with the guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cedi-osman/i-really-enjoy-going-to-play-for-the-national-team-and-be-with-the/) [Cedi Osman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cedi-osman/) > [The evening's the best part of the day. You've done your day's work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kazuo-ishiguro/the-evening-s-the-best-part-of-the-day-you-ve-done-your-day-s-work/) [Kazuo Ishiguro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kazuo-ishiguro/) > [I really enjoy hosting, not necessarily because it provides more airtime, but because it allows me to be a part of more substantive discussions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-ponder/i-really-enjoy-hosting-not-necessarily-because-it-provides-more/) [Samantha Ponder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-ponder/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) > [Today it is the skeptics who are the social conformists, though because of powerful intellectual propaganda they continue to enjoy thinking of themselves as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/today-it-is-the-skeptics-who-are-the-social-conformists-though/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Certainly, it is. Love is love, and loss is loss. We all love, and we all die, and everyone suffers the pain of grieving.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynsay-sands/certainly-it-is-love-is-love-and-loss-is-loss-we-all-love-and-we-all/) [Lynsay Sands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynsay-sands/) Browse all 13,068 Enjoy quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To enjoy a thing exclusively is commonly to exclude yourself from the true enjoyment of it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henry David Thoreau" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly-to-exclude-yourself-from-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Enjoy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly-to-exclude-yourself-from-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/henry-david-thoreau-20_enjoy_to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly_880572.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/henry-david-thoreau-20_enjoy_to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly_880572.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/henry-david-thoreau-20_enjoy_to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly_880572.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To enjoy a thing exclusively is commonly to exclude yourself from the true enjoyment of it.” — 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": "To enjoy a thing exclusively is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly-to-exclude-yourself-from-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/to-enjoy-a-thing-exclusively-is-commonly-to-exclude-yourself-from-the/#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 } } ] } ```