None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The true measure of our worth is found within, rather than in our past or future circumstances.
This quote by Henry David Thoreau emphasizes that our inner thoughts, values, and character are far more important than the events that have shaped us or the challenges we may face ahead. It suggests that our personal strength and identity are resilient and come from within, overshadowing external factors in determining who we are and our potential.
Themes
Inner StrengthSelfCharacterPerspectiveWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a motivational speech to reinforce self-worth.
More from Henry David Thoreau
All quotes βThrough 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
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Indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most. Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.
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To some people, not caring is supposed to be cool, commenting is more interesting than doing, and everything is judged and then disposed of in, like, five minutes. I'm not interested in those kinds of people. I like the person who commits and goes all in and takes big swings and then maybe fails or looks stupid; who jumps and falls down, rather than the person who points at the person who fell, and laughs. But I do sometimes laugh when people fall down.
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