Should not every apartment in which man dwells be lofty enough to create some obscurity overhead, where flickering shadows may play at evening about the rafters? Henry David Thoreau More Quotes by Henry David Thoreau More Quotes From Henry David Thoreau As for fowling, during the last years that I carried a gun my excuse was that I was studying ornithology, and sought only new or rare birds. But I confess that I am now inclined to think that there is a finer way of studying ornithology than this. It requires so much closer attention to the habits of the birds, that, if for that reason only, I have been willing to omit the gun. Henry David Thoreau hunting gun thinking I knew that the wall was the main thing in Quebec, and had cost a great deal of money.... In fact, these are the only remarkable walls we have in North America, though we have a good deal of Virginia fence, it is true. Henry David Thoreau virginia wall america The virtue of making two blades of grass grow where only one grew before does not begin to be superhuman. Henry David Thoreau virtue doe two We seem to think that the earth must go through the ordeal of sheep-pasturage before it is habitable by man. Henry David Thoreau sheep men thinking Of a life of luxury the fruit is luxury, whether in agriculture, or commerce, or literature, or art. Henry David Thoreau agriculture luxury art A fortified town is like a man cased in the heavy armor of antiquity, with a horse-load of broadswords and small arms slung to him, endeavoring to go about his business. Henry David Thoreau armor horse men I do not wish, it happens, to be associated with Massachusetts, either in holding slaves or in conquering Mexico. I am a little better than herself in these respects. Henry David Thoreau mexico respect wish I have heard of a minister, who had been a fisherman, being settled in Bridgewater for as long a time as he could tell a cod froma haddock. Generous as it seems, this condition would empty most country pulpits forthwith, for it is long since the fishers of men were fishermen. Henry David Thoreau men long country When you travel to the Celestial City, carry no letter of introduction. When you knock, ask to see God,--none of the servants. Henry David Thoreau clergy cities letters It is remarkable that among all the preachers there are so few moral teachers. The prophets are employed in excusing the ways of men. Henry David Thoreau teacher men way That Cabot merely landed on the uninhabitable shore of Labrador gave the English no just title to New England, or to the United States generally, any more than to Patagonia. Henry David Thoreau titles colonialism united-states The sea, vast and wild as it is, bears thus the waste and wrecks of human art to its remotest shore. There is no telling what it may not vomit up. Henry David Thoreau wrecks sea art Frequently also some fair-weather finery ripped off a vessel by a storm near the coast was nailed up against an outhouse. I saw fastened to a shed near the lighthouse a long new sign with the words "ANGLO SAXON" on it in large gilt letters, as if it were a useless part which the ship could afford to lose, or which the sailors had discharged at the same time with the pilot. But it interested somewhat as if it had been a part of the Argo, clipped off in passing through the Symplegades. Henry David Thoreau sea weather long They will tell you tough stories of sharks all over the Cape, which I do not presume to doubt utterly,--how they will sometimes upset a boat, or tear it in pieces, to get at the man in it. I can easily believe in the undertow, but I have no doubt that one shark in a dozen years is enough to keep up the reputation of a beach a hundred miles long. Henry David Thoreau men beach believe In clear weather the laziest may look across the Bay as far as Plymouth at a glance, or over the Atlantic as far as human vision reaches, merely raising his eyelids; or if he is too lazy to look after all, he can hardly help hearing the ceaseless dash and roar of the breakers. The restless ocean may at any moment cast up a whale or a wrecked vessel at your feet. All the reporters in the world, the most rapid stenographers, could not report the news it brings. Henry David Thoreau whales ocean sea The Universal Soul, as it is called, has an interest in the stacking of hay, the foddering of cattle, and the draining of peat-meadows. Henry David Thoreau stacking hay soul Of what use were it, pray, to get a little wood to burn, to warm your body this cold weather, if there were not a divine fire kindled at the same time to warm your spirit? Henry David Thoreau fire littles weather I have tasted but little bread in my life. It has been mere grub and provender for the most part. Of bread that nourished the brain and the heart, scarcely any. There is absolutely none on the tables even of the rich. Henry David Thoreau tables brain heart Humor, however broad and genial, takes a narrower view than enthusiasm. Henry David Thoreau humor views funny Economy is a subject which admits of being treated with levity, but it cannot so be disposed of. Henry David Thoreau levity economy funny
