None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
The lakes are something which you are unprepared for; they lie up so high, exposed to the light, and the forest is diminished to a fine fringe on their edges, with here and there a blue mountain, like amethyst jewels set around some jewel of the first water, - so anterior, so superior, to all the changes that are to take place on their shores, even now civil and refined, and fair as they can ever be.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The lakes represent untouched beauty and permanence in nature, contrasting with the transient changes of civilization.
In this quote, Thoreau reflects on the lakes as profound symbols of eternal beauty and tranquility. Their high elevation and exposure to light signify purity and clarity, while the surrounding forest serves as a delicate framework enhancing their splendor. The 'blue mountains' are likened to precious gemstones, suggesting that natural landscapes exist beyond the mundane and constant changes brought about by human activity. Thoreau conveys a deep appreciation for these natural wonders, asserting their superiority over human civilization and highlighting their untouched essence.
Themes
LakesNatureBeautyCivilizationPermanence
In practice
Example use cases
A nature enthusiast might share this quote during a discussion about the importance of preserving natural landscapes.
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.
Henry David ThoreauRead
That grand old poem called Winter
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