There never was and is not likely soon to be a nation of philosophers, nor am I certain it is desirable that there should be.

Quote by Henry David Thoreau

Topics: Henry David Thoreau Quotes

There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted.

There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted.

Generally speaking, a howling wilderness does not howl: it is the imagination of the traveler...

Generally speaking, a howling wilderness does not howl: it is the imagination of the traveler...

Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.

Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.

In human intercourse the tragedy begins, not when there is misunderstanding about words, but when...

In human intercourse the tragedy begins, not when there is misunderstanding about words, but when...

I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks.

I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks.

Live the life you've dreamed.

Live the life you've dreamed.

While civilization has been improving our houses, it has not equally improved the men who...

While civilization has been improving our houses, it has not equally improved the men who...

I only desire sincere relations with the worthiest of my acquaintance, that they may give...

I only desire sincere relations with the worthiest of my acquaintance, that they may give...

How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading...

How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading...

This world is but a canvas to our imagination.

This world is but a canvas to our imagination.

I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for...

I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for...

What old people say you cannot do, you try and find that you can. Old...

What old people say you cannot do, you try and find that you can. Old...

When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe....

When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe....

Music is perpetual, and only the hearing is intermittent.

Music is perpetual, and only the hearing is intermittent.

Nature puts no question and answers none which we mortals ask. She has long ago...

Nature puts no question and answers none which we mortals ask. She has long ago...

Books must be read as deliberately and reservedly as they were written.

Books must be read as deliberately and reservedly as they were written.

I never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude.

I never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude.

We were born to succeed, not to fail.

We were born to succeed, not to fail.

Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction.

Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction.

There could be no honor in sure success, but much might be wrested from a...

There could be no honor in sure success, but much might be wrested from a...