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100 Famous Quotes By Henry David Thoreau, The Author Of Walden

Famous As: Naturalist, Philosopher & Author Of 'Walden'
Born On: July 12, 1817
Died On: May 6, 1862
Born In: Concord, Massachusetts, United States
Founder / Co Founder: Transcendental Club
Died At Age: 44

Henry David Thoreau was an American essayist, poet and philosopher who is best known as the author of the book, ‘Walden’. His essay on ‘Civil Disobedience’ caught the attention of people and influenced the political thoughts and actions of notable figures such as Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. Other than being a renowned and famous writer, Thoreau served as an abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor and historian. In his lifetime, Thoreau contributed invariably writing essays, articles, journals, poetry and books. Thoreau wrote primarily on natural history and philosophy, anticipating the methods and findings of ecology and environmental history, surviving historical change or natural decay and advocating the abandonment of waste and illusion. Today, Thoreau is regarded as one of the foremost American writers, both for the modern clarity of his prose style and the prescience of his views on nature and politics. His literary style was unique and distinctive. It interweaved close observation of nature, personal experience, pointed rhetoric, symbolic meanings and historical lore, while displaying a poetic sensibility, philosophical austerity, and attention to practical detail. Same is also visible in his quotes that convey a powerful message in limited words. Explore this section and find some of the best known quotes by Henry David Thoreau.  

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.

Henry David Thoreau
How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.

How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.

Henry David Thoreau
It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.

Henry David Thoreau
Dreams are the touchstones of our characters.

Dreams are the touchstones of our characters.

Henry David Thoreau
Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.

Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.

Henry David Thoreau
Be yourself- not your idea of what you think somebody else's idea of yourself should be.

Be yourself- not your idea of what you think somebody else's idea of yourself should be.

Henry David Thoreau
Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.

Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.

Henry David Thoreau
What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.

What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.

Henry David Thoreau
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau
Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.

Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.

Henry David Thoreau
Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations.

Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations.

Henry David Thoreau
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away.

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away.

Henry David Thoreau
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.

Henry David Thoreau
All good things are wild and free.

All good things are wild and free.

Henry David Thoreau
Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.

Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.

Henry David Thoreau
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.

Henry David Thoreau
Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all.

Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all.

Henry David Thoreau
I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

Henry David Thoreau
The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer.

The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer.

Henry David Thoreau
Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.

Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.

Henry David Thoreau
I was not designed to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest.

I was not designed to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest.

Henry David Thoreau
There is no remedy for love, but to love more.

There is no remedy for love, but to love more.

Henry David Thoreau
Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.

Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.

Henry David Thoreau
Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.

Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.

Henry David Thoreau
Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.

Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.

Henry David Thoreau
Not till we are completely lost or turned around... do we begin to find ourselves.

Not till we are completely lost or turned around... do we begin to find ourselves.

Henry David Thoreau
As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.

As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.

Henry David Thoreau
Things do not change; we change.

Things do not change; we change.

Henry David Thoreau
If we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment.

If we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment.

Henry David Thoreau
Any fool can make a rule
And any fool will mind it.

Any fool can make a rule And any fool will mind it.

Henry David Thoreau