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 Nothing goes by luck in composition. It allows of no tricks. The best you can write will be the best you are. Henry David Thoreau luck literature writing Old deeds for old people, and new deeds for new. Henry David Thoreau workout change people Where there is an observatory and a telescope, we expect that any eyes will see new worlds at once. Henry David Thoreau perspective new-relationship eye There are old heads in the world who cannot help me by their example or advice to live worthily and satisfactorily to myself; but I believe that it is in my power to elevate myself this very hour above the common level of my life. Henry David Thoreau example advice believe A broad margin of leisure is as beautiful in a man's life as in a book. Haste makes waste, no less in life than in housekeeping. Keep the time, observe the hours of the universe, not of the cars. Henry David Thoreau beautiful men book I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains. I do not wish to go below now. Henry David Thoreau journey wish travel 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. Henry David Thoreau nature men art I was more independent than any farmer in Concord, for I was not anchored to a house or farm, but could follow the bent of my genius, which is a very crooked one, every moment. Henry David Thoreau agriculture independent house If it is surely the means to the highest end we know, can any work be humble or disgusting? Will it not rather be elevating as a ladder, the means by which we are translated? Henry David Thoreau humble work mean So thoroughly and sincerely are we compelled to live, reverencing our life, and denying the possibility of change. This is the only way, we say; but there are as many ways as there can be drawn radii from one centre. All change is a miracle to contemplate; but it is a miracle which is taking place every instant. Henry David Thoreau possibility-of-change miracle way We hear and apprehend only what we already half know. Henry David Thoreau half education knowledge Age is no better, hardly so well, qualified for an instructor as youth, for it has not profited so much as it has lost. Henry David Thoreau youth age lost To him whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps pace with the sun, the day is a perpetual morning. It matters not what the clocks say or the attitudes and labors of men. Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me. Henry David Thoreau attitude morning men No man ever followed his genius till it misled him. Henry David Thoreau misled genius men Shall a man go and hang himself because he belongs to the race of pygmies, and not be the biggest pygmie that he can? Let everyone mind his own business, and endeavor to be what he was made Henry David Thoreau race mind men You must converse much with the field and the woods if you would imbibe such health into your mind and spirit as you covet for your body Henry David Thoreau woods body mind You boast of spending a tenth part of your income in charity; may be you should spend the nine tenths so, and done with it. Henry David Thoreau income charity done A man can suffocate on courtesy. Henry David Thoreau courtesy men There is an incessant influx of novelty into the world, and yet we tolerate incredible dullness. Henry David Thoreau novelty creativity world It is not for a man to put himself in such an attitude to society, but to maintain himself in whatever attitude he find himself through obedience to the laws of his being, which will never be one of opposition to a just government, if he should chance to meet with such. Henry David Thoreau law attitude men