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 Philosophy, certainly, is some account of truths the fragments and very insignificant parts of which man will practice in this workshop; truths infinite and in harmony with infinity, in respect to which the very objects and ends of the so-called practical philosopher will be mere propositions, like the rest. Henry David Thoreau philosophical men philosophy Beside some philosophers of larger vision, Carlyle stands like an honest, half-despairing boy, grasping at some details only of their world systems. Henry David Thoreau philosophical vision boys The philosopher's conception of things will, above all, be truer than other men's, and his philosophy will subordinate all the circumstances of life. To live like a philosopher is to live, not foolishly, like other men, but wisely and according to universal laws. Henry David Thoreau philosophical men philosophy Philosophy, having crept clinging to the rocks so far, puts out its feelers many ways in vain. Henry David Thoreau philosophical rocks philosophy If you are a seer, whenever you meet a man you will see all that he owns, ay, and much that he pretends to disown, behind him. Henry David Thoreau philosophical hypocrisy men Even the poor student studies and is taught only political economy, while that economy of living which is synonymous with philosophy is not even sincerely professed in our colleges. The consequence is, that while he is reading Adam Smith, Ricardo, and Say, he runs his father in debt irretrievably. Henry David Thoreau education running father Fishermen, hunters, woodchoppers, and others, spending their lives in the fields and woods, in a peculiar sense a part of Nature themselves, are often in a more favorable mood for observing her, in the intervals of their pursuits, than philosophers or poets even, who approach her with expectation. She is not afraid to exhibit herself to them. Henry David Thoreau philosophical nature expectations The front aspect of great thoughts can only be enjoyed by those who stand on the side whence they arrive. Henry David Thoreau aspect sides ideas I have not yet learned to live, that I can see, and I fear that I shall not very soon. I find, however, that in the long run things correspond to my original idea,--that they correspond to nothing else so much; and thus a man may really be a true prophet without any great exertion. The day is never so dark, nor the night even, but that the laws at least of light still prevail, and so may make it light in our minds if they are open to the truth. Henry David Thoreau dark running life There they lived on, those New England people, farmer lives, father and grandfather and great-grandfather, on and on without noise, keeping up tradition, and expecting, beside fair weather and abundant harvests, we did not learn what. They were contented to live, since it was so contrived for them, and where their lines had fallen. Henry David Thoreau weather life father Inexpressibly beautiful appears the recognition by man of the least natural fact, and the allying his life to it. Henry David Thoreau beautiful men life I already, and for weeks afterward, felt my nature the coarser for this part of my woodland experience, and was reminded that ourlife should be lived as tenderly and daintily as one would pluck a flower. Henry David Thoreau hunting flower life The opportunities of living are diminished in proportion as what are called the "means" are increased. Henry David Thoreau money life mean And by another year, Henry David Thoreau flower air life To live a better life,--this surely can be done. Henry David Thoreau reform done life Life is so short that it is not wise to take roundabout ways, nor can we spend much time in waiting.... We have not got half-way to dawn yet. Henry David Thoreau wise waiting life The only fruit which even much living yields seems to be often only some trivial success,--the ability to do some slight thing better. We make conquest only of husks and shells for the most part,--at least apparently,--but sometimes these are cinnamon and spices, you know. Henry David Thoreau yield success life I am not afraid that I shall exaggerate the value and significance of life, but that I shall not be up to the occasion which it is. Henry David Thoreau significance integrity life I do believe that the outward and the inward life correspond; that if any should succeed to live a higher life, others would not know of it; that difference and distance are one. To set about living a true life is to go on a journey to a distant country, gradually to find ourselves surrounded by new scenes and men; and as long as the old are around me, I know that I am not in any true sense living a new or a better life. Henry David Thoreau life country travel The ways in which most men get their living, that is, live, are mere makeshifts, and a shirking of the real business of life,--chiefly because they do not know, but partly because they do not mean, any better. Henry David Thoreau real work life
