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 We cannot well do without our sins; they are the highway of our virtue. Henry David Thoreau conflict sin war Anyone in a free society where the laws are unjust has an obligation to break the law. Henry David Thoreau liberty law courage This life we live is a strange dream, and I don't believe at all any account men give of it. Henry David Thoreau dream life believe This curious world we inhabit is more wonderful than convenient; more beautiful than it is useful; it is more to be admired and enjoyed than used. Henry David Thoreau nature beautiful world What would human life be without forests, those natural cities? Henry David Thoreau climate nature cities Being a teacher is like being in jail; once it's on your record, you can never get rid of it. Henry David Thoreau records jail teacher It is the greatest of all advantages to enjoy no advantage at all. Henry David Thoreau advantage enjoy literature The first pleasant days of spring come out like a squirrel and go in again. Henry David Thoreau squirrels spring firsts It is only necessary to behold the least fact or phenomenon, however familiar, from a point a hair's breadth aside from our habitual path or routine, to be overcome, enchanted by its beauty and significance ... To perceive freshly, with fresh senses is to be inspired. Henry David Thoreau vision hair beauty But the place which you have selected for your camp, though never so rough and grim, begins at once to have its attractions, and becomes a very centre of civilization to you: "Home is home, be it never so homely." Henry David Thoreau camping home civilization Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resigns his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience then? I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. Henry David Thoreau degrees men thinking There is danger that we lose sight of what our friend is absolutely, while considering what she is to us alone. Henry David Thoreau friends sight sky Direct your eye inward, and you'll find / A thousand regions in your mind / Yet undiscovered. Travel them, and be / Expert in home-cosmography Henry David Thoreau eye mind home A lake is a landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. Henry David Thoreau nature eye beautiful I believe that the mind can be permanently profaned by the habit of attending to trivial things, so that all our thoughts shall be tinged with triviality. Henry David Thoreau habit mind believe Nature spontaneously keeps us well. Do not resist her! Henry David Thoreau wells nature He who hears the rippling of rivers in these degenerate days will not utterly despair. Henry David Thoreau despair nature rivers Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! Henry David Thoreau simplicity So our human life but dies down to its root, and still puts forth its green blade to eternity. Henry David Thoreau positive-thinking roots attitude A man's interest in a single bluebird is worth more than a complete but dry list of the fauna and flora of a town. Henry David Thoreau lists towns men
