None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
City life is millions of people being lonesome together.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the paradox of urban living where individuals can feel isolated despite being surrounded by many others.
Henry David Thoreau's quote highlights a profound insight into the nature of city life, where the sheer volume of people can create a sense of loneliness and disconnection among individuals. In a bustling urban environment, the physical proximity of millions does not guarantee emotional or social connection, leading many to experience feelings of solitude even in throngs of bustling crowds. This phenomenon raises questions about the human experience and the fundamental need for meaningful connections in an increasingly crowded world.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about urban development, one might say, 'As Thoreau observed, city life is millions of people being lonesome together, highlighting the need for community spaces.'
More from Henry David Thoreau
All quotes βThrough want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling and spending their lives like servants.
An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.
As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.
That grand old poem called Winter
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The wicked exist in this world either to be converted or that through them the good may exercise patience.
The Truth has shared so much of Itself with me That I can no longer call myself A man, a woman, an angel, Or even pure Soul.
Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.
'Emergencies' have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded.
I love and treasure individuals as I meet them, I loath and despise the groups they identify or belong to.
IN ALL MY FILMS, IT SEEMED IMPORTANT TO ME TO REMIND THE AUDIENCE TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE, LOST IN AN EMPTY UNIVERSE, BUT THAT THEY ARE CONNECTED BY INNUMERABLE THREADS WITH THEIR PAST AND PRESENT, THAT THROUGH CERTAIN MYSTICAL WAYS, EVERY HUMAN BEING REALIZES THE RAPPORT WITH THE WORLD AND THE LIFE OF HUMANITY.