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I begin to see an object when I cease to understand it.

Henry David Thoreau

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Henry David Thoreau
Age: 44 †
Born: 1817
Born: July 12
Died: 1862
Died: May 6
Abolitionist
Author
Autobiographer
Diarist
Ecologist
Environmentalist
Essayist
Naturalist
Philosopher
Poet
Translator
Writer
birthplace of Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau
Henry D. Thoreau
Cease
Object
Begin
Objects
Vision
Seeing
Understand
Nature
Awe

More quotes by Henry David Thoreau

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For my part, I could easily do without the post-office. I think that there are very few important communications made through it.
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Beside some philosophers of larger vision, Carlyle stands like an honest, half-despairing boy, grasping at some details only of their world systems.
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If a man were to place himself in an attitude to bear manfully the greatest evil that can be inflicted on him, he would find suddenly that there was no such evil to bear his brave back would go a-begging.
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A kitten is so flexible that she is almost double the hind parts are equivalent to another kitten with which the fore part plays. She does not discover that her tail belongs to her till you tread upon it.
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You must ascend a mountain to learn your relation to matter, and so to your own body, for it is at home there, though you are not.
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What exercise is to the body, employment is to the mind and morals.
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I have seen more men than usual, lately and, well as I was acquainted with one, I am surprised to find what vulgar fellows they are.
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I have always endeavored to acquire strict business habits they are indispensable to every man. If your trade is with the Celestial Empire, then some small counting house on the coast, in some Salem harbor, will be fixture enough.
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When I go out of the house for a walk, uncertain as yet whither I will bend my steps, [I] submit myself to my instinct to decide for me.
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When I would go a-visiting, I find that I go off the fashionable street,--not being inclined to change my dress,--to where man meets man, and not polished shoe meets shoe.
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Who could believe in the prophecies ... that the world would end this summer, while one milkweed with faith matured its seeds.
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Scholars are wont to sell their birthright for a mess of learning.
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The universe seems bankrupt as soon as we begin to discuss the characters of individuals.
Henry David Thoreau
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After the first blush of sin comes its indifference.
Henry David Thoreau
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The sacredness, if there is any, is all in yourself and not in the place.
Henry David Thoreau
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The man who takes the liberty to live is superior to all the laws, by virtue of his relation to the lawmaker.
Henry David Thoreau
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We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake.
Henry David Thoreau
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To him whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps pace with the sun, the day is a perpetual morning.
Henry David Thoreau
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Roads are made for horses and men of business. I do not travel in them much.
Henry David Thoreau
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Since you are my readers, and I have not been much of a traveler, I will not talk about people a thousand miles off, but come as near home as I can. As the time is short, I will leave out all the flattery, and retain all the criticism.
Henry David Thoreau