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.

Knowledge does not come to us in details, but in flashes of light from heaven.

Men profess to be lovers of music, but for the most part they give no evidence in their opinions and lives that they have heard it.

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

Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but religiously follows the new.

If we were left solely to the wordy wit of legislators in Congress for our guidance, uncorrected by the seasonal experience and the effectual complaints of the people, America would not long retain her rank among the nations.

If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are depressed, it will cheer you; If you are excited, it will calm you.

Mementos of this world, in which the things worth being were so easily exchanged for the things worth having.

We shall see but a little way if we require to understand what we see.

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God’s handwriting – a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.

Usually the modest person passes for someone reserved, the silent for a sullen person

Sooner or later that which is now life shall be poetry, and every fair and manly trait shall add a richer strain to the song.

There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right.

The early Christian rules of life were not made to last, because the early Christians did not believe that the world itself was going to last.

As to the adjective, when in doubt strike it out.

The very impossibility in which I find myself to prove that God is not, discovers to me his existence.

It isn’t making mistakes that’s critical; it’s correcting them and getting on with the principal task.

He is armed without who is innocent within, be this thy screen, and this thy wall of brass.

He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.

Though I can make my extravaganzas appear credible, I cannot make the truth appear so.