3,409 Quotes by Henry David Thoreau

Sincerity is a great but rare virtue, and we pardon to it much complaining, and the betrayal of many weaknesses.

This bird sees the white man come and the Indian withdraw, but it withdraws not. Its untamed voice is still heard above the tinkling of the forge... It remains to remind us of aboriginal nature.

Where shall we look for standard English, but to the words of a standard man?

The flowers of the apple are perhaps the most beautiful of any tree's, so copious and so delicious to both sight and scent.

On tops of mountains, as everywhere to hopeful souls, it is always morning.

A true account of the actual is the rarest poetry, for common sense always takes a hasty and superficial view.

Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government.

The process of discovery is very simple. An unwearied and systematic application of known laws to nature, causes the unknown to reveal themselves. Almost any mode of observation will be successful at last, for what is most wanted is method.

The community has no bribe that will tempt a wise man.