Henry David Thoreau

On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend’s life also, in our own, to the world.

If a man is alive, there is always danger that he may die, though the danger must be allowed to be less in proportion as he is dead-and-alive to begin with. A man sits as many risks as he runs.

True, there are architects so called in this country, and I have heard of one at least possessed with the idea of making architectural ornaments have a core of truth, a necessity, and hence a beauty, as if it were a revelation to him. All very well perhaps from his point of view, but only a little better than the common dilettantism.

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.

We need only travel enough to give our intellects an airing.

If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of government, let it go, let it go: perchance it will wear smooth.

It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly.

Concentration is the secret of strength in politics, in war, in trade, in short, in all the management of human affairs.

It is dangerous to be sincere unless you are also stupid.

Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.

It is a profitable Wisdom to know when we have done enough: Much time and Pains are spared, in not flattering our selves against Probabilities.

Love is a gross exaggeration of the difference between one person and everybody else.

We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible.

No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism.

Any enlightenment which requires to be authenticated, certified, recognized, congratulated, is false, or at least incomplete.

The subtlety of nature is greater many times over than the subtlety of the senses and understanding.

Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get.

Every violation of truth is not only a sort of suicide in the liar, but is a stab at the health of human society.

This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.

Breed is stronger than pasture.

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