Henry David Thoreau
United States
12 Jul 1817 // 6 May 1862
Writer / Author / Poet
12 Jul 1817 // 6 May 1862
Writer / Author / Poet
Quotes
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The law will never make men free, it is men that have to make the law free
The poet is a man who lives at last by watching his moods. An old poet comes at last to watch his moods as narrowly as a cat does a mouse
For every thousand hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one striking at the root
Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves
What is called resignation is confirmed desperation... a stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind
Give me the poverty that enjoys true wealth
I know of no more encouraging fact than the ability of a man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor
It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?
A government in which the majority rule in all cases cannot be based on justice, even as far as men understand it
That government is best which governs least
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On Anger: "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
Essays
Essays
On Destiny: "Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature: it is our future that lays down the law of our today."
Human, All Too Human
Human, All Too Human
On Friendship: "A crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love."
Essays
Essays