None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Doing good can feel limiting or unfulfilling for some individuals.
In this quote, Thoreau reflects on the act of doing good, suggesting that while it is a widely accepted and noble profession, he finds it contrary to his natural inclinations or constitution. He implies that personal satisfaction and alignment with one's true self is more important than conforming to societal expectations of goodness.
Themes
Doing GoodPersonal SatisfactionSelf-KnowledgeIndividualityNoble Profession
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at a charity event might use this quote to illustrate the importance of personal passion in philanthropy.
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.
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An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
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Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.
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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.
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That grand old poem called Winter
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