A true politeness does not result from any hasty and artificial polishing, it is true, but grows naturally in characters of the right grain and quality, through a long fronting of men and events, and rubbing on good and bad fortune. Henry David Thoreau More Quotes by Henry David Thoreau More Quotes From Henry David Thoreau Of all ebriosity, who does not prefer to be intoxicated by the air he breathes? Henry David Thoreau breathe air doe Could slavery suggest a more complete servility than some of these journals exhibit? Is there any dust which their conduct does not lick, and make fouler still with its slime? Henry David Thoreau slavery dust doe Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes. Henry David Thoreau missing-you best-friend i-miss-you It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts. Henry David Thoreau humorous beautiful art Nowadays almost all man's improvements, so called, as the building of houses and the cutting down of the forest and of all large trees, simply deform the landscape, and make it more and more tame and cheap. Henry David Thoreau cutting house men Money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul. Henry David Thoreau simplicity money spiritual They can do without architecture who have no olives nor wines in the cellar. Henry David Thoreau olives wine literature All men want, not something to do with, but something to do, or rather something to be. Henry David Thoreau want motivational men Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it. Henry David Thoreau insperational inspirational life I am struck by the fact that the more slowly trees grow at first, the sounder they are at the core, and I think that the same is true of human beings. We do not wish to see children precocious, making great strides in their early years like sprouts, producing a soft and perishable timber, but better if they expand slowly at first, as if contending with difficulties, and so are solidified and perfected. Such trees continue to expand with nearly equal rapidity to extreme old age. Henry David Thoreau children years thinking Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once? Henry David Thoreau endeavor unjust law I noticed, as I had done before, that there was a lull among the mosquitoes about midnight, and that they began again in the morning. Nature is thus merciful. But apparently they need rest as well as we. Henry David Thoreau midnight nature morning Even the elephant carries but a small trunk on his journeys. The perfection of traveling is to travel without baggage. Henry David Thoreau elephants journey travel Whether he sleeps or wakes,--whether he runs or walks,--whether he uses a microscope or a telescope, or his naked eye,--a man never discovers anything, never overtakes anything, or leaves anything behind, but himself. Whatever he says or does, he merely reports himself. If he is in love, he loves; if he is in heaven, he enjoys; if he is in hell, he suffers. It is his condition that determines his locality. Henry David Thoreau eye sleep running Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. Henry David Thoreau canoeing paddling water It is never too late to give up our prejudices. Henry David Thoreau learning giving-up inspirational You may raise enough money to tunnel a mountain, but you cannot raise money enough to hire a man who is minding his own business. Henry David Thoreau money tunnels men When a dog runs at you, whistle for him. Henry David Thoreau dog running inspirational Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself. Henry David Thoreau good-morning good-day nature The bluebird carries the sky on his back. Henry David Thoreau niece sky animal
