Generally speaking, a howling wilderness does not howl: it is the imagination of the traveler that does the howling. Henry David Thoreau More Quotes by Henry David Thoreau More Quotes From Henry David Thoreau Why will we be imposed on by antiquity? Henry David Thoreau originality independence tradition This generation has come into the world fatally late for some enterprises. Go where we will on the surface of things, men have been there before us.... But the lives of men, though more extended laterally in their range, are still as shallow as ever. Henry David Thoreau pioneers this-generation men I perceive that we inhabitants of New England live this mean life that we do because our vision does not penetrate the surface ofthings. We think that that is which appears to be. Henry David Thoreau vision mean thinking No man in America has ever stood up so persistently and effectively for the dignity of human nature, knowing himself for a man, and the equal of any and all governments. In that sense he was the most American of us all. Henry David Thoreau knowing men america A man of rare common sense and directness of speech, as of action; a transcendentalist above all, a man of ideas and principles,Mthat was what distinguished him. Henry David Thoreau common-sense men ideas Many, no doubt, are well disposed, but sluggish by constitution and habit, and they cannot conceive of a man who is actuated by higher motives than they are. Accordingly they pronounce this man insane, for they know that they could never act as he does, as long as they are themselves. Henry David Thoreau doubt men long Insane!... Ask the tyrant who is his most dangerous foe, the sane man or the insane? Henry David Thoreau tyrants insane men You don't know your testament when you see it. Henry David Thoreau testament knows The only free road, the Underground Railroad, is owned and managed by the Vigilant Committee. They have tunneled under the whole breadth of the land. Henry David Thoreau underground-railroad railroads land I foresee the time when the painter will paint that scene, no longer going to Rome for a subject; the poet will sing it; the historian record it; and, with the Landing of the Pilgrims and the Declaration of Independence, it will be the ornament of some future national gallery, when at least the present form of slavery shall be no more here. We shall then be at liberty to weep for Captain Brown. Then, and not till then, we will take our revenge. Henry David Thoreau rome independence revenge The thoughtful man becomes a hermit in the thoroughfares of the marketplace. Henry David Thoreau thoughtful independence men If private men are obliged to perform the offices of government, to protect the weak and dispense justice, then the government becomes only a hired man, or clerk, to perform menial or indifferent services. Henry David Thoreau office justice men When a noble deed is done, who is likely to appreciate it? They who are noble themselves. Henry David Thoreau appreciate noble done The husbandman is always a better Greek than the scholar is prepared to appreciate, and the old custom still survives, while antiquarians and scholars grow gray in commemorating it. Henry David Thoreau tradition appreciate greek The brave man braves nothing, nor knows he of his bravery. Henry David Thoreau brave-man bravery men Commonly men will only be brave as their fathers were brave, or timid. Henry David Thoreau bravery men father Nothing can rightly compel a simple and brave man to a vulgar sadness. Henry David Thoreau sadness simple men The philanthropist too often surrounds mankind with the remembrance of his own cast- off griefs as an atmosphere, and calls it sympathy. We should impart our courage, and not our despair, our health and ease, and not our disease, and take care that this does not spread by contagion. Henry David Thoreau grief bravery sympathy All men are partially buried in the grave of custom, and of some we see only the crown of the head above ground. Better are the physically dead, for they more lively rot. Even virtue is no longer such if it be stagnant. A man's life should be constantly as fresh as this river. It should be the same channel, but a new water every instant. Henry David Thoreau rivers water men In my short experience of human life, the outward obstacles, if there were any such, have not been living men, but the institutions of the dead. Henry David Thoreau obstacles tradition men
