H

Henry David Thoreau

141 quotes

Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) was an American essayist, poet, and philosopher best known for his book *Walden*, a reflection on simple living in natural surroundings. A leading transcendentalist, Thoreau championed individualism, civil disobedience, and a deep reverence for nature that continues to influence environmentalists and free thinkers to this day.

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Music

All Quotes by Henry David Thoreau

“To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Life

“There are moments when all anxiety and stated toil are becalmed in the infinite leisure and repose of nature.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Nature

“Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Best

“Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Nature

“I have seen how the foundations of the world are laid, and I have not the least doubt that it will stand a good while.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Good

“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Life

“The smallest seed of faith is better than the largest fruit of happiness.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Faith

“There is no remedy for love but to love more.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Love

“Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good be good for something.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Good

“I think that there is nothing, not even crime, more opposed to poetry, to philosophy, ay, to life itself than this incessant business.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Business

“There are old heads in the world who cannot help me by their example or advice to live worthily and satisfactorily to myself but I believe that it is in my power to elevate myself this very hour above the common level of my life.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Life

“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.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Alone

“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Religion

“Faith keeps many doubts in her pay. If I could not doubt, I should not believe.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Faith

“All men are children, and of one family. The same tale sends them all to bed, and wakes them in the morning.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Family

“Be not simply good - be good for something.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Good

“The law will never make a man free it is men who have got to make the law free.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Men

“Faith never makes a confession.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Faith

“It appears to be a law that you cannot have a deep sympathy with both man and nature.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Nature

“A man cannot be said to succeed in this life who does not satisfy one friend.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Friendship