We are constantly invited to be who we are. Henry David Thoreau More Quotes by Henry David Thoreau More Quotes From Henry David Thoreau If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. It is not important that he should mature as soon as an apple-tree or oak. Shall he turn his spring into summer? If the condition of things which we were made for is not yet, what were any reality which we can substitute? We will not be shipwrecked on a vain reality. Henry David Thoreau summer spring life It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know. Henry David Thoreau stubborn learning inspirational He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul's estate. Henry David Thoreau work motivational inspirational The voice of nature is always encouraging. Henry David Thoreau saddening voice nature For a man needs only to be turned around once with his eyes shut in this world to be lost...Not 'til we are lost do we begin to find ourselves. Henry David Thoreau eye men needs This life is not for complaint, but for satisfaction. Henry David Thoreau satisfaction life-is complaining To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts. Henry David Thoreau time inspirational life Enthusiasm is a supernatural serenity. Henry David Thoreau serenity enthusiasm find your eternity in each moment Henry David Thoreau eternity-of-life carpe-diem islands We need the tonic of the wilderness, to wade sometimes in the marsh where the bitten and the meadow hen lurk, and hear the booming of the snipe; to smell the whispering sedge where only some wilder and more solitary fowl builds her nest, and the mink crawls with its belly close to the ground. Henry David Thoreau smell adventure needs In human intercourse the tragedy begins, not when there is misunderstanding about words, but when silence is not understood. Henry David Thoreau live-life sad silence Life consists with wildness. The most alive is the wildest. Not yet subdued to man, its presence refreshes him. Henry David Thoreau alive men life I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least - and it is commonly more than that - sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements. Henry David Thoreau being-alone nature thinking A bore is someone who takes away my solitude and doesn't give me companionship in return. Henry David Thoreau return solitude giving The truth is, there is money buried everywhere, and you have only to go to work to find it. Henry David Thoreau buried truth-is money Have you not budged an inch, then? Such is the daily news. Its facts appear to float in the atmosphere.... We should wash ourselves clean of such news. Of what consequence, though our planet explode, if there is no character involved in the explosion? In health we have not the least curiosity about such events. We do not live for idle amusement. I would not run round a corner to see the world blow up. Henry David Thoreau blow running character Every man is the builder of a temple, called his body, to the god he worships, after a style purely his own, nor can he get off by hammering marble instead. We are all sculptors and painters, and our material is our own flesh and blood and bones. Any nobleness begins at once to refine a man's features, any meanness or sensuality to imbrute them. Henry David Thoreau style men blood Men have become the tools of their tools. Henry David Thoreau humorous work witty The Indian navigator naturally distinguishes by a name those parts of a stream where he has encountered quick water and forks, andagain, the lakes and smooth water where he can rest his weary arms, since those are the most interesting and more arable parts to him. Henry David Thoreau names lakes native-american While England endeavors to cure the potato-rot, will not any endeavor to cure the brain-rot, which prevails so much more widely and fatally? Henry David Thoreau potatoes brain knowledge