None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
But why should not the New Englander try new adventures - not lay so much stress on his grain, his potato and grass crop, and his orchards - and raise other crops than these? Why concern ourselves so much about our beans for seed, and not be concerned at all about a new generation of men.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Thoreau encourages people to embrace new experiences and focus on personal growth rather than being overly attached to traditional ways of living.
In this quote, Henry David Thoreau expresses a desire for individuals, particularly those in New England, to break away from conventional agricultural practices and explore new opportunities. He emphasizes that while it's important to tend to crops, it is equally vital to nurture and cultivate the human spirit and potential for innovation, suggesting that personal and societal growth should take precedence over mere adherence to tradition.
Themes
ChangeGrowthAdventureInnovationTradition
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a motivational speech about embracing change in life.
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.
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
We are entering an era of heightened disaster, thanks to climate change. Being prepared for disaster will mean being prepared to sift truth from rumour, and being prepared to adjust our worldview.
Rebecca SolnitRead
I want to say that probably 24 hours after I told CBS that I was stepping down at my 65th birthday, I was already regretting it. And I regretted it every day since.
Walter CronkiteRead
I'm a field Negro. The masses are the field Negroes. When they see this man's house on fire, you don't hear these little Negroes talking about 'our government is in trouble'. They say, 'The government is in trouble.'
Malcolm XRead
Societies that empower women are less violent in every way.
Steven PinkerRead
We cannot change the past, but we can change our attitude toward it. Uproot guilt and plant forgiveness. Tear out arrogance and seed humility. Exchange love for hate - thereby, making the present comfortable and the future promising.
Maya AngelouRead
We generally change ourselves for one of two reasons: inspiration or desperation.
Jim RohnRead