Henry David Thoreau quotes - page 27

Our thought are the epochs in our lives all else is but a journal of the winds that blew while we were here. (Henry David Thoreau)
Follow your genius closely enough, and it will not fail to show you a fresh prospect every hour. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
What demon possessed me that I behaved so well? View quote
Henry David Thoreau
Perhaps we should never procure a new suit, however ragged or dirty the old, until we have so conducted, so enterprized, or said in some way, that we felt like a new man in the old, and to retain it would be like putting new wine in an old bottle. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
A man must find his occasions in himself, it is true. The natural day is very calm, and will hardly reprove his indolence. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
Commonly men will only be brave as their fathers were brave, or timid. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
If we respected only what is inevitable and has a right to be, music and poetry would resound along the streets. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
No man has ever stood the lower in my estimation for having a patch in his cloths yet I am sure that there is greater anxiety, commonly, to have fashionable, or at least clean and unpatched clothes, than to have a sound conscience. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
We seem but to linger in manhood to tell the dreams of our childhood, and they vanish out of memory ere we learn the language. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
The really efficient laborer will be found not to crowd his day with work, but will saunter to his task surrounded by a wide halo of ease and leisure. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
Heaven might be defined as the place which men avoid. (Henry David Thoreau)
We have built for this world a family mansion, and the next a family tomb. The best works of art are the expression of man's struggle to free himself from this condition, but the effect of our art is merely to make this low state comfortable and that higher state to be forgotten. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
The highest law gives a thing to him who can use it. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
You ask particularly after my health. I suppose that I have not many months to live; but, of course, I know nothing about it. I may add that I am enjoying existence as much as ever, and regret nothing. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
Men go to a fire for entertainment. When I see how eagerly men will run to a fire, whether in warm or in cold weather, by day or by night, dragging an engine at their heels, I'm astonished to perceive how good a purpose the level of excitement is made to serve. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
The life without men praise and regard as successful is but one kind. Why should we exaggerate any one kind at the expense of the others? View quote
Henry David Thoreau
I want the flower and fruit of a man; that some fragrance be wafted over from him to me, and some ripeness flavor our intercourse. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
Morning brings back the heroic ages. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
Old deeds for old people, and new deeds for new. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
So thoroughly and sincerely are we compelled to live, reverencing our life, and denying the possibility of change. This is the only way, we say; but there are as many ways as there can be drawn radii from one centre. All change is a miracle to contemplate; but it is a miracle which is taking place every instant. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
What wealth it is to have such friends that we cannot think of them without elevation. (Henry David Thoreau)
Even the best things are not equal to their fame. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
It is dry, hazy June weather. We are more of the earth, farther from heaven these days. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
My friend is one... who take me for what I am. View quote
Henry David Thoreau
Yet some can be patriotic who have no self-respect, and sacrifice the greater to the less. They love the soil which makes their graves, but have no sympathy with the spirit which may still animate their clay. Patriotism is a maggot in their heads. View quote
Henry David Thoreau