3,409 Quotes by Henry David Thoreau

Who could believe in the prophecies ... that the world would end this summer, while one milkweed with faith matured its seeds.

We inspire friendship in men when we have contracted friendship with the gods.

Where there is a brave man, in the thickest of the fight, there is the post of honor.

The most alive is the wildest.

It is pleasant to have been to a place the way a river went.

I would that our farmers when they cut down a forest felt some of that awe which the old Romans did when they came to thin, or letin the light to, a consecrated grove (lucum conlucare), that is, would believe that it is sacred to some god. The Roman made an expiatory offering, and prayed, Whatever god or goddess thou art to whom this grove is sacred, be propitious to me, my family, and children, etc.

Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them?

Treat your friends for what you know them to be. Regard no surfaces. Consider not what they did, but what they intended.

Having each some shingles of thought well dried, we sat and whittled them.