Quotes from Henry David Thoreau

How does it become a man to behave toward the American government today? I answer that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it. I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slave's government also.

It often happens that a human is more humanely related to a cat or dog than to any human being.

Moreover, I, on my side, require of every writer, first or last, a simple and sincere account of his own life, and not merely what he has heard of other men's lives; some such account as he would send to his kindred from a distant land; for if he has lived sincerely, it must have been in a distant land to me.

Perhaps these pages are more particularly addressed to poor students.

Some travelers tell us that an Indian had no name given him at first, but earned it, and his name was his fame; and among some tribes he acquired a new name with every new exploit.

Chi non crede che ogni giorno contiene un'ora più mattutina, più sacra e più rosea di quelle che finora ha profanato, ha perduto ogni speranza della vita e segue un cammino che lo porta sempre più in basso.

Not till we are completely lost or turned around, do we begin to find ourselves.

What is the price-current of an honest man and patriot to-day?

It is a fool's life, as they will find when they get to the end of it, if not before.

Nov. 2, 1837. Truth strikes us from behind, and in the dark, as well as from before and in broad daylight.

Se uma planta não pode viver de acordo com sua natureza, ela morre. O mesmo ocorre com um homem.

I would remind my countrymen, that they are to be men first, and Americans only at a late and convenient hour. No matter how valuable law may be to protect your property, even to keep soul and body together, if it do not keep you and humanity together.

Même lorsque vous votez pour la justice, vous ne faites rien pour elle. Vous ne faites qu'exprimer faiblement aux hommes votre désir de la voir l'emporter. Le sage ne doit pas laisser la justice à la merci du hasard ni souhaiter qu'elle l'emporte grâce au pouvoir de la la majorité. P.13

should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well. Unfortunately, I am confined to this theme by the narrowness of my experience. Moreover

Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your intention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.

Prchavá pravda naÅ¡ich slov by mala neustále prezradzovaÃ…Â¥ nedostato?nosÃ…Â¥ toho, ?o eÅ¡te obsahoval náÅ¡ príhovor.

Direct your eye right inward, and you'll find A thousand regions in your mind Yet undiscovered. Travel them, and be Expert in home-cosmography.

I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well. Unfortunately, I am confined to this theme by the narrowness of my experience. Moreover

We are made to exaggerate the importance of what work we do; and yet how much is not done by us.

To be awake is to be alive. I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face? We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.

Feb. 26, 1841. To be great, we do as if we would be tall merely, be longer than we are broad, stretch ourselves and stand on tiptoe. But greatness is well proportioned, unstrained, and stands on the soles of the feet.

it is remarkable that the wild apple, which I praise as so spirited and racy when eaten in the fields or woods, being brought into the house, has frequently a harsh and crabbed taste. The Saunter-er's Apple not even the saunterer can eat in the house.

His highest duty to fodder and water his horses! What is his destiny

It's not what you look at that matters, its what you see