Henry David Thoreau

If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. Men will believe what they see.

A man sits as many risks as he runs.

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.

It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes.

To him whom contemplates a trait of natural beauty, no harm nor despair can come. The doctrines of despair, spiritual or political servitude, were never taught by those who shared the serenity of Nature. For each phase of Nature, though not invisible, is yet not too distinct or obtrusive. It is there to be found when we look for it, but not too demanding of our attention.

There is no more fatal blunderer than he who consumes the greater part of his life getting his living.

I only desire sincere relations with the worthiest of my acquaintance, that they may give me an opportunity once in a year to speak the truth.

The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons.

Upon awakening, let the words Thank You flow from your lips, for this will remind you to begin your day with gratitude and compassion.

Jealousy is never satisfied with anything short of an omniscience that would detect the subtlest fold of the heart.

Live as brave men and face adversity with stout hearts.

Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other.

Wherever a man goes, men will pursue him and paw him with their dirty institutions, and, if they can, constrain him to belong to their desperate odd-fellow society.

There are truths which are not for all men, nor for all times.

There is much pain that is quite noiseless; and vibrations that make human agonies are often a mere whisper in the roar of hurrying existence. There are glances of hatred that stab and raise no cry of murder; robberies that leave man or woman for ever beggared of peace and joy, yet kept secret by the sufferer –committed to no sound except that of low moans in the night, seen in no writing except that made on the face by the slow months of suppressed anguish and early morning tears. Many an inherited sorrow that has marred a life has been breathed into no human ear.

Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.

I have never taken any exercise except sleeping and resting.

There is no chance, and no anarchy, in the universe. All is system and gradation. Every god is there sitting in his sphere.

The truths of religion are never so well understood as by those who have lost the power of reason.

Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.

Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.