I do not know but thoughts written down thus in a journal might be printed in the same form with greater advantage than if the related ones were brought together into separate essays. Henry David Thoreau More Quotes by Henry David Thoreau More Quotes From Henry David Thoreau That is mere sentimentality that lies abed by day and thinks itself white, far from the tan and callus of experience. Henry David Thoreau white lying thinking The Man of Genius may at the same time be, indeed is commonly, an Artist, but the two are not to be confounded. The Man of Genius,referred to mankind, is an originator, an inspired or demonic man, who produces a perfect work in obedience to laws yet unexplored. The artist is he who detects and applies the law from observation of the works of Genius, whether of man or nature. The Artisan is he who merely applies the rules which others have detected. There has been no man of pure Genius, as there has been none wholly destitute of Genius. Henry David Thoreau artist law men We 've wholly forgotten how to die. But be sure you do die nevertheless. Do your work, and finish it. If you know how to begin, you will know when to end. Henry David Thoreau labor ends forgotten One can hardly imagine a more healthful employment, or one more favorable to contemplation and the observation of nature. Henry David Thoreau contemplation employment imagine There are many skillful apprentices, but few master workmen. Henry David Thoreau workers masters perfection We are often struck by the force and precision of style to which hard-working men, unpracticed in writing, easily attain when required to make the effort. As if plainness and vigor and sincerity, the ornaments of style, were better learned on the farm and in the workshop than in the schools. The sentences written by such rude hands are nervous and tough, like hardened thongs, the sinews of the deer, or the roots of the pine. Henry David Thoreau hard-work writing school Steady labor with the hands, which engrosses the attention also, is unquestionably the best method of removing palaver and sentimentality out of one's style, both of speaking and writing. Henry David Thoreau style writing hands Though the hen should sit all day, she could lay only one egg, and, besides, would not have picked up materials for another. Henry David Thoreau hens chickens eggs A man may travel fast enough and earn his living on the road. Henry David Thoreau simplicity men travel Verily, chemistry is not a splitting of hairs when you have got half a dozen raw Irishmen in the laboratory. Henry David Thoreau dozen half hair It is the art of mankind to polish the world, and every one who works is scrubbing in some part. Henry David Thoreau ambition world art Unless the human race perspire more than I do, there is no occasion to live by the sweat of their brow. If men cannot get on without money (the smallest amount will suffice), the truest method of earning it is by working as a laborer at one dollar per day. You are least dependent so; I speak as an expert, having used several kinds of labor. Henry David Thoreau earning-it sweat men Men and boys are learning all kinds of trades but how to make men of themselves. They learn to make houses; but they are not so well housed, they are not so contented in their houses, as the woodchucks in their holes. Henry David Thoreau education men boys The principal, the only, thing a man makes, is his condition of fate. Though commonly he does not know it, nor put up a sign to this effect, "My own destiny made and mended here." (Not yours.) He is a master workman in the business. He works twenty-four hours a day at it, and gets it done. Whatever else he neglects or botches, no man was ever known to neglect this work. A great many pretend to make shoes chiefly, and would scout the idea that they make the hard times which they experience. Henry David Thoreau hard-times fate destiny Men should not labor foolishly like brutes, but the brain and the body should always, or as much as possible, work and rest together, and then the work will be of such a kind that when the body is hungry the brain will be hungry also, and the same food will suffice for both; otherwise the food which repairs the waste energy of the overwrought body will oppress the sedentary brain, and the degenerate scholar will come to esteem all food vulgar, and all getting a living drudgery. Henry David Thoreau together brain men Are you in want of amusement nowadays? Then play a little at the game of getting a living. There was never anything equal to it. Do it temperately, though, and don't sweat. Henry David Thoreau sweat games play If thousands are thrown out of employment, it suggests that they were not well employed. Why don't they take the hint? It is not enough to be industrious; so are the ants. What are you industrious about? Henry David Thoreau hints employment ants I have not earned what I have already enjoyed. Henry David Thoreau enjoyed rewards labor Cold and hunger seem more friendly to my nature than those methods which men have adopted and advise to ward them off. Henry David Thoreau cold friendly men As for my own business, even that kind of surveying which I could do with most satisfaction my employers do not want. They would prefer that I should do my work coarsely and not too well, ay, not well enough. When I observe that there are different ways of surveying, my employer commonly asks which will give him the most land, not which is most correct. Henry David Thoreau different land giving
