None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
I put a piece of paper under my pillow, and when I could not sleep I wrote in the dark.
Interpretation
Writing can be a remedy for sleeplessness and a way to process thoughts.
This quote by Henry David Thoreau emphasizes the therapeutic nature of writing, especially during times of restlessness or insomnia. By placing a piece of paper under his pillow, Thoreau suggests that he used writing as a tool to clarify his thoughts and feelings, illustrating the transformative power of expression in the quiet moments of the night.
In practice
Sharing this quote during a writing workshop to inspire participants.
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling and spending their lives like servants.
An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.
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.
That grand old poem called Winter
The first beneficiary of compassion is always oneself. When compassion, or warmheartedness, arises in us and our focus shifts away from our own narrow self-interest, it is as if we open an inner door. It reduces fear, boosts confidence and brings us inner strength. By reducing distrust, it opens us to others and brings us a sense of connection to others, and sense of purpose and meaning in life.
That's one form of magic, of course." "What, just knowing things?" "Knowing things that other people don't know.
You don't start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it's good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That's why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.
A man must not swallow more beliefs than he can digest.
Ambition! We must be careful what we mean by it. If it means the desire to get ahead of other people - which is what I think it does mean - then it is bad. If it means simply wanting to do a thing well, then it is good. It isn't wrong for an actor to want to act his part as well as it can possibly be acted, but the wish to have his name in bigger type than the other actors is a bad one.
The big print giveth, and the fine print taketh away.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.