None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
I believe that what so saddens the reformer is not his sympathy with his fellows in distress, but, though he be the holiest son of God, is his private ail. Let this be righted, let the spring come to him, the morning rise over his couch, and he will forsake his generous companions without apology.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The reformer is burdened not just by the suffering of others but by their own unresolved issues, which can lead them to neglect those they aim to help.
This quote reflects on the inner struggle of individuals who seek to enact change or help others. Thoreau suggests that despite having a deep empathy for the suffering of their fellow beings, a reformer's own personal grievances can overshadow their altruism. When their own troubles are alleviated, they may distance themselves from their cause, highlighting the complex interplay between self-care and social responsibility.
Themes
ReformerSympathySufferingPersonal StruggleSelf-CareChange
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about social reform, one might say, 'As Thoreau reminds us, we cannot forget our own struggles while trying to uplift others.'
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.
Henry David ThoreauRead
That grand old poem called Winter
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