Explore Quotes by Henry David Thoreau

The only way to tell the truth is to speak with kindness. Only the words of a loving man can be heard.

The Friend asks no return but that his Friend will religiously accept and wear and not disgrace his apotheosis of him. They cherish each other's hopes. They are kind to each other's dreams.

I have heard of a man lost in the woods and dying of famine and exhaustion at the foot of a tree, whose loneliness was relieved by the grotesque visions with which, owing to bodily weakness, his diseased imagination surrounded him, and which he believed to be real. So also, owing to bodily and mental health and strength, we may be continually cheered by a like but more normal and natural society, and come to know that we are never alone.

This whole earth which we inhabit is but a point in space. How far apart, think you, dwell the most distant inhabitants of yonder star, the breadth of whose disk cannot be appreciated by our instruments?

I believe that what so saddens the reformer is not his sympathy with his fellows in distress, but, though he be the holiest son of God, is his private ail. Let this be righted, let the spring come to him, the morning rise over his couch, and he will forsake his generous companions without apology.

I have no time to be in a hurry.

He who cuts down woods beyond a certain limit exterminates birds.

The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way.

People die of fright and live of confidence.

If we were left solely to the wordy wit of legislators in Congress for our guidance, uncorrected by the seasonal experience and the effectual complaints of the people, America would not long retain her rank among the nations.

What fire could ever equal the sunshine of a winter's day?

Whatever sentence will bear to be read twice, we may be sure was thought twice.

The volatile truth of our words should continually betray the inadequacy of the residual statement.

The universe constantly and obediently answers to our conceptions; whether we travel fast or slow, the track is laid for us.

Our thoughts are epochs in our lives; all else is but as a journal of the winds that blow while we are here.

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.

I sat at a table where were rich food and wine in abundance, and obsequious attendance, but sincerity and truth were not; and I went away hungry from the inhospitable board.

I fear chiefly lest my expression may not be extravagant enough, may not wander far enough beyond the narrow limit of my daily experience, so as to be adequate to the truth of which I have been convinced.

Let us not underrate the value of a fact; it will one day flower into a truth.

Nature is slow, but sure; she works no faster than need be; she is the tortoise that wins the race by her perseverance.

Let nothing come between you and the light.