Henry David Thoreau

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.

Silence is the universal refuge, the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts, a balm to our every chagrin, as welcome after satiety as after disappointment; that background which the painter may not daub, be he master or bungler, and which, however awkward a figure we may have made in the foreground, remains ever our inviolable asylum, where no indignity can assail, no personality can disturb us.

Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.

If I repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior.

Speech is for the convenience of those who are hard of hearing; but there are many fine things which we cannot say if we have to shout.

A man’s ignorance sometimes is not only useful, but beautiful-while his knowledge, so called, is oftentimes worse than useless, besides being ugly.

Practice makes perfect, and nobody’s perfect, so why practice?

Our necessities are few, but our wants are endless.

When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not.

Bravery is more important than perfection.- Kanye West

Tis the old secret of the gods that they come in low disguises.

We long for an affection altogether ignorant of our faults. Heaven has accorded this to us in the uncritical canine attachment.

The key to every man is his thought. He can only be reformed by showing him a new idea which commands his own.

I have never accepted what many people have kindly said-namely that I inspired the nation. Their will was resolute and remorseless, and as it proved, unconquerable. It fell to me to express it.

Adversity has ever been considered the state in which a man most easily becomes acquainted with himself.

Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.

It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.

What is read twice is usually remembered more than what is once written.

Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants.

From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate.

A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his companions by every word. Every opinion reacts on him who utters it. It is a threadball thrown at a mark, but the other end remains on the thrower.