Quotes by HENRY DAVID THOREAU :: Finest Quotes

HENRY DAVID THOREAU Quotes

We can never have enough of nature.

I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, To put to rout all that was not life and not when I had come to die Discover that I had not lived.

Henry David Thoreau

Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them

Henry David Thoreau

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.

Henry David Thoreau

If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen.

Henry David Thoreau

You must not know too much or be too precise or scientific about birds and trees and flowers and watercraft; a certain free-margin, and even vagueness - ignorance, credulity - helps your enjoyment of these things.

Henry David Thoreau

Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

Henry David Thoreau

It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.

Henry David Thoreau

Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him who does it for love of it.

Henry David Thoreau

There is an incessant influx of novelty into the world, and yet we tolerate incredible dullness.

Henry David Thoreau

There is no rule more invariable than that we are paid for our suspicions by finding what we suspect.

Henry David Thoreau

He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his souls estate.

Henry David Thoreau

A broad margin of leisure is as beautiful in a man's life as in a book.