None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
I love Nature partly because she is not man, but a retreat from him. None of his institutions control or pervade her. There a different kind of right prevails. In her midst I can be glad with an entire gladness. If this world were all man, I could not stretch myself, I should lose all hope. He is constraint, she is freedom to me. He makes me wish for another world. She makes me content with this.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a deep appreciation for nature as a source of freedom and contentment, contrasting it with the constraints of man-made institutions.
Henry David Thoreau reflects on the profound connection he feels with nature, viewing it as an escape from the societal constraints imposed by humanity. He contrasts the freedom and joy found in nature with the limitations that come from human institutions, suggesting that nature offers a refuge where he can truly experience happiness and fulfillment. The sentiment highlights the importance of seeking solace and contentment in the natural world, which stands in stark contrast to the dilemmas of modern civilization.
Themes
NatureFreedomContentmentConstraintsEscape
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can serve as inspiration during a nature retreat or outdoor workshop.
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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