If a man is alive, there is always danger that he may die, though the danger must be allowed to be less in proportion as he is dead-and-alive to begin with. A man sits as many risks as he runs. Henry David Thoreau More Quotes by Henry David Thoreau More Quotes From Henry David Thoreau The very austerity of the Brahmans is tempting to the devotional soul, as a more refined and nobler luxury. Wants so easily and gracefully satisfied seem like a more refined pleasure. Their conception of creation is peaceful as a dream. Henry David Thoreau luxury simplicity dream Mine was, as it were, the connecting link between wild and cultivated fields; as some states are civilized, and others half-civilized, and others savage or barbarous, so my field was, though not in a bad sense, a half-cultivated field. They were beans cheerfully returning to their wild and primitive state that I cultivated, and my hoe played the Ranz des Vaches for them. Henry David Thoreau hoe savages half The Mississippi, the Ganges, and the Nile,... the Rocky Mountains, the Himmaleh, and Mountains of the Moon, have a kind of personal importance in the annals of the world. Henry David Thoreau mountain moon world There can be no very black melancholy to him who lives in the midst of Nature and has his senses still. Henry David Thoreau melancholy black nature In winter we lead a more inward life. Our hearts are warm and cheery, like cottages under drifts, whose windows and doors are halfconcealed, but from whose chimneys the smoke cheerfully ascends.... We enjoy now, not an Oriental, but a Boreal leisure, around warm stoves and fireplaces, and watch the shadow of motes in the sunbeams. Henry David Thoreau heart winter doors I learned from my two years' experience that it would cost incredibly little trouble to obtain one's necessary food; that a man may use as simple a diet as the animals, and yet retain health and strength. Henry David Thoreau simple animal men Instead of water we got here a draught of beer, a lumberer's drink, which would acclimate and naturalize a man at once,-which would make him see green, and, if he slept, dream that he heard the wind sough among the pines. Henry David Thoreau dream beer men My desire for knowledge is intermittent; but my desire to commune with the spirit of the universe, to be intoxicated with the fumes, call it, of that divine nectar, to bear my head through atmospheres and over heights unknown to my feet, is perennial and constant. Henry David Thoreau atmosphere feet desire The devil finds work for idle hands. Henry David Thoreau inspirational life hands Some show their kindness to the poor by employing them in their kitchens. Would they not be kinder if they employed themselves there? Henry David Thoreau kitchen charity kindness Rise free from care before the dawn and seek adventure. Let the noon find you by other lakes, and the night overtake thee everywhere at home. There are no larger fields than these, no worthier games than may here be played. Henry David Thoreau home inspiring adventure The walking of which I speak has nothing in it akin to taking exercise, as it is called, as the sick take medicine at stated hours ... but is itself the enterprise and adventure of the day. Henry David Thoreau medicine exercise adventure I saw deep in the eyes of the animals the human soul look out upon me. I saw where it was born deep down under feathers and fur, or condemned for a while to roam four-footed among the brambles,I caught the clinging mute glance of the prisoner and swore that I would be faithful. Henry David Thoreau eye soul animal Give me a Wildness whose glance no civilization can endure. Henry David Thoreau glances giving civilization Even trees do not die without a groan. Henry David Thoreau dies tree death You need not rest your reputation on the dinners you give. Henry David Thoreau integrity giving needs Men profess to be lovers of music, but for the most part they give no evidence in their opinions and lives that they have heard it. Henry David Thoreau piano music men It would be worthy of the age to print together the collected Scriptures or Sacred Writings of the several nations, the Chinese, the Hindoos, the Persians, the Hebrews, and others, as the Scripture of mankind. The New Testament is still, perhaps, too much on the lips and in the hearts of men to be called a Scripture in this sense. Such a juxtaposition and comparison might help to liberalize the faith of men.... This would be the Bible, or Book of Books, which let the missionaries carry to the uttermost parts of the earth. Henry David Thoreau heart writing book My Friend is that one whom I can associate with my choicest thought. Henry David Thoreau my-friends friendship thinking Fame itself is but an epitaph; as late, as false, as true. Henry David Thoreau late truth fame
