The inhabitants of the Cape generally do not complain of their "soil," but will tell you that it is good enough for them to dry their fish on. Henry David Thoreau More Quotes by Henry David Thoreau More Quotes From Henry David Thoreau As to conforming outwardly and living your own life inwardly, I do not think much of that. Henry David Thoreau conformity life thinking To the sick, indeed, nature is sick, but to the well, a fountain of health. Henry David Thoreau sick health nature I have an immense appetite for solitude, like an infant for sleep, and if I don't get enough for this year, I shall cry all the next. Henry David Thoreau solitude sleep years I love you not as something private and personal, which is my own, but as something universal and worthy of love which I have found. Henry David Thoreau found love friendship My friend is one who takes me for what I am. A stranger takes me for something else than what I am. . . . What men call social virtues, good fellowship, is commonly but the virtue of pigs in a litter which lie close together to keep each other warm. It brings men together in crowds and mobs in bar-rooms and elsewhere, but it does not deserve the name of virtue. Henry David Thoreau friendship men lying We are always paid for our suspicion by finding what we suspect. [So why not suspect good rather than bad in events, people and life and thereby find it more?] Henry David Thoreau gratitude events people To some extent, mythology is only the most ancient history and biography. So far from being false or fabulous in the common sense,it contains only enduring and essential truth, the I and you, the here and there, the now and then, being omitted. Either time or rare wisdom writes it. Henry David Thoreau wisdom truth writing I live in the present. I only remember the past, and anticipate the future. Henry David Thoreau anticipation remember past Then at night the general stillness is more impressive than any sound, but occasionally you hear the note of an owl farther or nearer in the woods, and if near a lake, the semihuman cry of the loons at their unearthly revels. Henry David Thoreau lakes owl night Of what significance the light of day, if it is not the reflection of an inward dawn?--to what purpose is the veil of night withdrawn, if the morning reveals nothing to the soul? It is merely garish and glaring. Henry David Thoreau reflection morning inspirational The perception of beauty is a moral test. Henry David Thoreau perception beauty life In the long run, we only hit what we aim at. Henry David Thoreau running motivational long Knowledge does not come to us in details, but in flashes of light from heaven. Henry David Thoreau light inspiration knowledge Glances of true beauty can be seen in the faces of those who live in true meekness. Henry David Thoreau glances faces beauty It is always singular, but encouraging, to meet with common sense in very old books, as the Heetopades of Veeshnoo Sarma; a playful wisdom which has eyes behind as well as before, and oversees itself. It asserts their health and independence of the experience of later times. This pledge of sanity cannot be spared in a book, that it sometimes pleasantly reflect upon itself. Henry David Thoreau common-sense eye book To a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip, and they who edit and read it are old women over their tea. Henry David Thoreau sisterhood women media I believe that men are generally still a little afraid of the dark, though the witches are all hung. Henry David Thoreau dark men believe A worm is as good a traveler as a grasshopper or a cricket, and a much wiser settler. With all their activity these do not hop away from drought nor forward to summer. We do not avoid evil by fleeing before it, but by rising above or diving below its plane; as the worm escapes drought and frost by boring a few inches deeper. Henry David Thoreau evil summer travel All questions rely on the present for their solution. Time measures nothing but itself. The word that is written may be postponed,but not that on the lip. If this is what the occasion says, let the occasion say it. Henry David Thoreau lips may time Many old people receive pensions for no other reason, it seems to me, but as a compensation for having lived a long time ago. Henry David Thoreau age long people
