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 must walk sometimes perfectly free, not prying or inquisitive, not bent on seeing things. Throw away a whole day for a single expansion, a single inspiration of air. You must walk so gently as to hear the finest sounds, the faculties being in repose. Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain. Henry David Thoreau eye inspiration air Compliments and flattery oftenest excite my contempt by the pretension they imply; for who is he that assumes to flatter me? To compliment often implies an assumption of superiority in the complimenter. It is, in fact, a subtle detraction. Henry David Thoreau assumption assuming facts I have travelled a good deal in Concord. Henry David Thoreau deals I do not know at first what it is that harms me. The men and things of to-day are wont to be fairer and truer in to-morrow's memory. Henry David Thoreau appreciation men memories Did you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly towards an object, and in no measure obtained it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not elevated? Did ever a man try heroism, magnanimity, truth, sincerity, and find that there was no advantage in them,--that it was a vain endeavor? Henry David Thoreau heroism trying men While some men believe in the infinite, some ponds will be thought to be bottomless. Henry David Thoreau ponds men believe The church is a sort of hospital for men's souls, and as full of quackery as the hospital for their bodies. Those who are taken into it live like pensioners in their Retreat or Sailors' Snug Harbor, where you may see a row of religious cripples sitting outside in sunny weather. Henry David Thoreau taken religious men The greatest and saddest defect is not credulity, but an habitual forgetfulness that our science is ignorance. Henry David Thoreau defects forgetfulness ignorance Decay and disease are often beautiful, like the pearly tear of the shellfish and the hectic glow of consumption. Henry David Thoreau disease tears beautiful Duty is one and invariable; it requires no impossibilities, nor can it ever be disregarded with impunity. Henry David Thoreau impunity disregarded duty A man's whole life is taxed for the least thing well done. It is its net result. Henry David Thoreau effort men life The very thrills of genius are disorganizing. The body is never quite acclimated to its atmosphere, but how often, succumbs and goes into a decline. Henry David Thoreau atmosphere genius body Let a man take time enough for the most trivial deed, though it be but the paring of his nails. The buds swell imperceptibly, without hurry or confusion,--as if the short spring days were an eternity. Henry David Thoreau confusion spring men In ancient days the Pythagoreans were used to change names with each other,--fancying that each would share the virtues they admired in the other. Henry David Thoreau ancient virtue names We are all of us more or less active physiognomists. Henry David Thoreau physiognomy active The present hour is always wealthiest when it is poorer than the future ones, as that is the pleasantest site which affords the pleasantest prospect. Henry David Thoreau site hours Nothing more strikingly betrays the credulity of mankind than medicine. Quackery is a thing universal, and universally successful. In this case it becomes literally true that no imposition is too great for the credulity of men. Henry David Thoreau medicine successful men Homeliness is almost as great a merit in a book as in a house, if the reader would abide there. It is next to beauty, and a very high art. Henry David Thoreau house book art At least let us have healthy books. Henry David Thoreau healthy book The book exists for us, perchance, which will explain our miracles and reveal new ones. Henry David Thoreau miracle book
