Henry David Thoreau

The lawyer’s truth is not Truth, but consistency or a consistent expediency.

We do not learn by inference and deduction and the application of mathematics to philosophy, but by direct intercourse and sympathy.

I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers. A man thinking or working is always alone, let him be where he will.

Sometimes we are inclined to class those who are once-and-a-half witted with the half-witted, because we appreciate only a third part of their wit.

After all the field of battle possesses many advantages over the drawing-room. There at least is no room for pretension or excessive ceremony, no shaking of hands or rubbing of noses, which make one doubt your sincerity, but hearty as well as hard hand-play. It at least exhibits one of the faces of humanity, the former only a mask.

All this worldly wisdom was once the unamiable heresy of some wise man.

Any coward can fight a battle when he’s sure of winning, but give me the man who has pluck to fight when he’s sure of losing. That’s my way, sir; and there are many victories worse than a defeat.

I have never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers. A man thinking or working is always alone, let him be where he will.

How earthy old people become moldy as the grave! Their wisdom smacks of the earth. There is no foretaste of immortality in it. They remind me of earthworms and mole crickets.

In spite of his practical ability, some of his experience had petrified into maxims and quotations.

Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others.

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

We know there is intention and purpose in the universe, because there is intention and purpose in us.

For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.

Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.

A man is what he thinks about all day long.

Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.

If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life. That is very serious!

I really do not see much use in exalting the humble and meek; they do not remain humble and meek long when they are exalted.

That man is idle who can do something better.

I don’t think it’s meant for man to know everything at once.