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 style of writing, if one has anything to say, it drops from him simply and directly, as a stone falls to the ground. Henry David Thoreau style writing fall He is not a true man of science who does not bring some sympathy to his studies, and expect to learn something by behavior as well as by application. It is childish to rest in the discovery of mere coincidences, or of partial and extraneous laws. The study of geometry is a petty and idle exercise of the mind, if it is applied to no larger system than the starry one. Mathematics should be mixed not only with physics but with ethics; that is mixed mathematics. The fact which interests us most is the life of the naturalist. The purest science is still biographical. Henry David Thoreau learning exercise life Men rush to California and Australia as if the true gold were to be found in that direction but that is to go to the very opposite extreme to where it lies. They go prospecting farther and farther away from the true lead, and are most unfortunate when they think themselves most successful. Henry David Thoreau successful men lying Give me a country where it is the most natural thing in the world for a government that does not understand you to let you alone. Henry David Thoreau government giving country The poet will write for his peers alone. He will remember only that he saw truth and beauty from his position, and expect the time when a vision as broad shall overlook the same field as freely. Henry David Thoreau peers vision writing The imagination never forgets; it is a re-membering. It is not foundationless, but most reasonable, and it alone uses all the knowledge of the intellect. Henry David Thoreau never-forget imagination use But what is quackery? It is commonly an attempt to cure the diseases of a man by addressing his body alone. There is need of a physician who shall minister to both soul and body at once, that is, to man. Now he falls between two stools. Henry David Thoreau soul-and-body men fall What youth or maiden conspires with the wild luxuriant beauty of Nature? She flourishes most alone, far from the towns where they reside. Henry David Thoreau nature-beauty youth towns Even in our democratic New England towns the accidental possession of wealth, and its manifestation in dress and equipage alone, obtain for the possessor almost universal respect. Henry David Thoreau towns england dresses What is commonly called friendship is only a little more honor among rogues. Henry David Thoreau lost-friendship rogues honor I cannot fish without falling a little in self-respect...always when I have done I feel it would have been better if I had not fished. Henry David Thoreau self littles fall The broadest and most prevalent error requires the most disinterested virtue to sustain it. Henry David Thoreau virtue errors mistake Our manners have been corrupted by communication with the saints. Henry David Thoreau atheism saint communication The virtue which we appreciate, we to some extent appropriate. Henry David Thoreau appreciate virtue appreciation Sometimes we are inclined to class those who are once-and-a-half witted with the half-witted, because we appreciate only a third part of their wit. Henry David Thoreau class time appreciation Is it the lumberman, then, who is the friend and lover of the pine, stands nearest to it, and understands its nature best? Is it the tanner who has barked it, or he who has boxed it for turpentine, whom posterity will fable to have been changed into a pine at last? No! no! it is the poet: he it is who makes the truest use of the pine-who does not fondle it with an axe, nor tickle it with a saw, nor stroke it with a plane. . . . Henry David Thoreau nature love friendship Treat your friends for what you know them to be. Regard no surfaces. Consider not what they did, but what they intended. Henry David Thoreau surface treats friendship It is very rare that you meet with obstacles in this world, which the humblest man has not faculties to surmount. Henry David Thoreau strength men world All perception of truth is the detection of an analogy. Henry David Thoreau learning truth knowledge When our life ceases to be inward and private, conversation degenerates into mere gossip. Henry David Thoreau gossip technology science
