None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
The greater part of what my neighbors call good I believe in my soul to be bad, and if I repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well? You may say the wisest thing you can, old man, - you who have lived seventy years, not without honor of a kind, - I hear an irresistible voice which invites me away from all that.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Thoreau reflects on the conflict between societal expectations of goodness and personal moral beliefs.
In this quote, Thoreau expresses his skepticism towards societal definitions of goodness, suggesting that what is commonly accepted as 'good' may not align with his personal convictions. He feels a deep internal struggle, reflecting on past behaviors that conformed to societal norms when he believes they were not truly commendable. This tension points to a broader philosophical inquiry about individual morality and the pressures of societal expectations.
Themes
MoralityIndividualismSocietyGoodnessBehavior
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about personal ethics versus societal norms.
More from Henry David Thoreau
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