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 You ask particularly after my health. I suppose that I have not many months to live; but, of course, I know nothing about it. I may add that I am enjoying existence as much as ever, and regret nothing. Henry David Thoreau regret may add Who looks in the sun will see no light else; but also he will see no shadow. Our life revolves unceasingly, but the centre is ever the same, and the wise will regard only the seasons of the soul. Henry David Thoreau light soul wise We are as much as we see. Faith is sight and knowledge. The hands only serve the eyes. Henry David Thoreau eye sight hands Men go to a fire for entertainment. When I see how eagerly men will run to a fire, whether in warm or in cold weather, by day or by night, dragging an engine at their heels, I'm astonished to perceive how good a purpose the level of excitement is made to serve. Henry David Thoreau running men night The same law that shapes the earth-star shapes the snow-star. As surely as the petals of a flower are fixed, each of these countless snow-stars comes whirling to earth...these glorious spangles, the sweeping of heaven's floor. Henry David Thoreau stars flower law Far from New England's blustering shore,New England's worm her hulk shall bore,And sink her in the Indian seas,Twine, wine, and hides, and China teas. Henry David Thoreau wine sea tea The story of Romulus and Remus being suckled by a wolf is not a meaningless fable. The founders of every State which has risen to eminence have drawn their nourishment and vigor from a similar wild source. It was because the children of the Empire were not suckled by the wolf that they were conquered and displaced by the children of the Northern forests who were. Henry David Thoreau vigor stories children Men reverence one another, not yet God. Henry David Thoreau reverence men The Indian...stands free and unconstrained in Nature, is her inhabitant and not her guest, and wears her easily and gracefully. But the civilized man has the habits of the house. His house is a prison. Henry David Thoreau guests house men A slight sound at evening lifts me up by the ears, and makes life seem inexpressibly serene and grand. It may be Uranus, or it may be in the shutter. Henry David Thoreau ears sound may Nothing is so much to be feared as fear. Atheism may comparatively be popular with God himself. Henry David Thoreau atheism may This bird sees the white man come and the Indian withdraw, but it withdraws not. Its untamed voice is still heard above the tinkling of the forge... It remains to remind us of aboriginal nature. Henry David Thoreau white-man voice men If you are describing any occurrence... make two or more distinct reports at different times... We discriminate at first only a few features, and we need to reconsider our experience from many points of view and in various moods in order to perceive the whole. Henry David Thoreau views two order Will you be a reader, a student merely, or a seer? Read your fate, seewhat isbefore you, and walkon intofuturity. Henry David Thoreau fate reader students We are apt to imagine that this hubbub of Philosophy, Literature, and Religion, which is heard in pulpits, lyceums, and parlors, vibrates through the universe, and is as catholic a sound as the creaking of the earth's axle. But if a man sleeps soundly, he will forget it all between sunset and dawn. Henry David Thoreau sunset sleep philosophy Every poet has trembled on the verge of science. Henry David Thoreau verge poet The commonest and cheapest sounds, as the barking of a dog, produce the same effect on fresh and healthy ears that the rarest music does. It depends on your appetite for sound. Just as a crust is sweeter to a healthy appetite than confectionery to a pampered or diseased one. Henry David Thoreau healthy dog sound Our circumstances answer to our expectations and the demand of our natures. Henry David Thoreau demand expectations answers Our taste is too delicate and particular. It says nay to the poet's work, but never yea to his hope. Henry David Thoreau poetry criticism taste It is the characteristic of great poems that they will yield of their sense in due proportion to the hasty and the deliberate reader. To the practical they will be common sense, and to the wise wisdom; as either the traveler may wet his lips, or an army may fill its water-casks at a full stream. Henry David Thoreau army wisdom wise
