3,409 Quotes by Henry David Thoreau

As for the complex ways of living, I love them not, however much I practice them. In as many places as possible, I will get my feet down to the earth.

I saw deep in the eyes of the animals the human soul look out upon me. I saw where it was born deep down under feathers and fur, or condemned for a while to roam four-footed among the brambles,I caught the clinging mute glance of the prisoner and swore that I would be faithful.

Things don't change. We change.

If the alternative is to keep all just men in prison, or give up war and slavery, the State will not hesitate which to choose.

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

Some do not walk at all; others walk in the highways; a few walk across lots. Roads are made for horses and men of business. I do not travel in them much, comparatively, because I am not in a hurry to get to any tavern or grocery or livery-stable or depot to which they lead.

One piece of good sense would be more memorable than a monument as high as the moon.

We must have infinite faith in each other. If we have not, we must never let it leak out that we have not.

Friendship is evanescent in every man's experience, and remembered like heat lightning in past summers.