None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
A farmer, a hunter, a soldier, a reporter, even a philosopher, may be daunted; but nothing can deter a poet, for he is actuated by pure love. Who can predict his comings and goings? His business calls him out at all hours, even when doctors sleep.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the unwavering passion and dedication of a poet driven by love, which transcends other professions.
In this quote, Henry David Thoreau illustrates the unique commitment of poets compared to other professions like farmers, hunters, soldiers, reporters, and philosophers. He emphasizes that a poet, motivated by pure love for their craft, remains undeterred by challenges that might discourage others, suggesting that their creative spirit compels them to write and express their thoughts at any time, even outside the conventional hours of work.
Themes
PoetLoveDedicationCreativityPassion
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire writers during a poetry reading session.
More from Henry David Thoreau
All quotes →Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling and spending their lives like servants.
Henry David ThoreauRead
An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Henry David ThoreauRead
Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.
Henry David ThoreauRead
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.
Henry David ThoreauRead
That grand old poem called Winter
Henry David ThoreauRead
Similar quotes
We call those poets who are first to mark, Through earth's dull mist the coming of the dawn, Who see in twilight's gloom the first pale spark, While others only note that day is gone.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.Read
I am very much interested in the so-called useless object. I mean, it takes perfect craftsmanship, beautiful material carefully measured and crafted, but at the same time it’s really useless.
Ai WeiweiRead
I have a real interest in pushing some of the limits of things that studios don't want to make.
George ClooneyRead
Didn't you know I'm going to be the greatest, most entertaining author and artist in the world? Well, don't feel badly, I didn't either!
Sylvia PlathRead
Self expression is the new entertainment, We never used to question why people sit on the couch for seven hours a day watching bad TV. Nobody ever asked, Why are they doing that for free? We need to celebrate [this desire to contribute for free] rather than question it.
Arianna HuffingtonRead
I believe that in the history of art and of thought there has always been at every living moment of culture a will to renewal. This is not the prerogative of the last decade only. All history is nothing but a succession of crises - of rupture, repudiation and resistance. When there is no crisis, there is stagnation, petrifaction and death. All thought, all art is aggressive.
Eugene IonescoRead