None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
Be not merely good. Be good for something.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote encourages individuals to strive for purpose rather than just being good without direction.
Henry David Thoreau's quote emphasizes the importance of living with intention and purpose. Merely being 'good' is insufficient; one should seek to apply their goodness to something greater, whether it be contributing to society, helping others, or pursuing meaningful goals. It advocates for an active engagement with one's values to create a positive impact in the world.
Themes
GoodnessPurposeIntentionImpactService
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech to inspire volunteers at a community service event.
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.
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
It isn't the big troubles in life that require character. Anybody can rise to a crisis and face a crushing tragedy with courage, but to meet the petty hazards of the day with a laugh - I really think that requires spirit. It's the kind of character that I am going to develop. I am going to pretend that all life is just a game which I must play as skillfully and fairly as I can. If I lose, I am going to shrug my shoulders and laugh - also if I win.
Jean WebsterRead
Sanity returns (in most cases) when the book is closed.
Ursula K. Le GuinRead
Like a twisted olive tree in its 500th year, giving then its finest fruit, is man. How can he give forth wisdom until he has been crushed and turned in the Hand of God.
Rabbi AkivaRead
The world is not so much in need of new thoughts as that when thought grows old and worn with usage it should, like current coin, be called in, and, from the mint of genius, reissued fresh and new.
Alexander SmithRead
Scarcely any degree of judgment is sufficient to restrain the imagination from magnifying that on which it is long detained
Samuel JohnsonRead
Boredom is a certain sign that we are allowing our faculties to rust in idleness.
William Ralph IngeRead