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I believe that the mind can be permanently profaned by the habit of attending to trivial things, so that all our thoughts shall be tinged with triviality.
Henry David Thoreau
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the dangers of focusing on trivial matters, suggesting that it can degrade the quality of our thinking.

Henry David Thoreau warns against the detrimental effects of fixating on insignificant details. He suggests that constant attention to trivialities corrupts the mind, leading to a life devoid of depth and meaning, as our thoughts become influenced by the inconsequential rather than the profound. This highlights the importance of prioritizing what truly matters in life to maintain clarity and wisdom.

Themes

MindTrivialityThoughtsAttentionDepth

In practice

Example use cases

In a seminar about mindfulness, this quote could illustrate the importance of focusing on what matters.

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