Every sunset I witness inspires me with the desire to go to West as distant and as fair as that which the sun goes down. Eastward I go only by force; but westward I go free. Henry David Thoreau More Quotes by Henry David Thoreau More Quotes From Henry David Thoreau Dreams are the touchstones of our character. Henry David Thoreau dream graduation love I grow savager and savager every day, as if fed on raw meat, and my tameness is only the repose of untamableness. I dream of looking abroad summer and winter, with free gaze, from some mountain-side,... to be nature looking into nature with such easy sympathy as the blue-eyed grass in the meadow looks in the face of the sky. From some such recess I would put forth sublime thoughts daily, as the plant puts forth leaves. Henry David Thoreau summer dream winter A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting. Henry David Thoreau reading wise book Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand. Henry David Thoreau nature hands travel To be awake is to be alive. Henry David Thoreau energy live-in-the-moment life All this worldly wisdom was once the unamiable heresy of some wise man. Henry David Thoreau wisdom wise men Wealth is the ability to fully experience life. Henry David Thoreau wealth-and-happiness money life Statesmen and legislators, standing so completely within the institution, never distinctly and nakedly behold it. They speak of moving society, but they have no resting-place without it. They may be men of a certain experience and discrimination, and have no doubt invented ingenious and even useful systems, for which we sincerely thank them; but all their wit and usefulness lie within certain not very wide limits. They are wont to forget that the world is not governed by policy and expediency. Henry David Thoreau men lying moving Perfect sincerity and transparency make a great part of beauty, as in dewdrops, lakes, and diamonds. Henry David Thoreau sincerity lakes perfect Where there is a brave man, in the thickest of the fight, there is the post of honor. Henry David Thoreau fighting courage success Reform keeps many scores of newspapers in its service, but not one man. Henry David Thoreau journalism reform men It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about? Henry David Thoreau fog time inspiring If we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment. Henry David Thoreau perseverance disappointment self-esteem If the tax-gatherer, or any other public officer, asks me, as one has done, "But what shall I do?" my answer is, "If you really wish to do anything, resign your office." When the subject has refused allegiance, and the officer has resigned his office, then the revolution is accomplished. Henry David Thoreau office done wish Birds never sing in caves. Henry David Thoreau caves sin bird The opening of large tracts by the ice-cutters commonly causes a pond to break up earlier; for the water, agitated by the wind, even in cold weather, wears away the surrounding ice. Henry David Thoreau ice spring wind We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success. What we do best or most perfectly is what we have most thoroughly learned by the longest practice, and at length it falls from us without our notice, as a leaf from a tree. Henry David Thoreau dark success fall In a world of peace and love, music would be the universal language. Henry David Thoreau marriage would-be love That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves. Henry David Thoreau patriotic freedom government The scenery, when it is truly seen, reacts on the life of the seer. How to live. How to get the most of life.... How to extract its honey from the flower of the world. Henry David Thoreau flower honey world
