Quote

It is only necessary to behold the least fact or phenomenon, however familiar, from a point a hair's breadth aside from our habitual path or routine, to be overcome, enchanted by its beauty and significance ... To perceive freshly, with fresh senses is to be inspired.

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
Seeing
Senses
Routine
Beauty
Inspired
Significance
Freshly
Point
However
Phenomenon
Enchanted
Fact
Necessary
Overcome
Breadth
Facts
Hair
Fresh
Habitual
Vision
Perceive
Behold
Least
Overcoming
Awe
Path
Familiar
Aside

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I have seen how the foundations of the world are laid, and I have not the least doubt that it will stand a good while.
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To be awake is to be alive.
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The fibers of all things have their tension and are strained like the strings of an instrument.
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We do not associate the idea of antiquity with the ocean, nor wonder how it looked a thousand years ago, as we do of the land, for it was equally wild and unfathomable always.
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The strongest wind cannot stagger a Spirit it is a Spirit's breath. A just man's purpose cannot be split on any Grampus or material rock, but itself will split rocks till it succeeds.
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But what is quackery? It is commonly an attempt to cure the diseases of a man by addressing his body alone. There is need of a physician who shall minister to both soul and body at once, that is, to man. Now he falls between two stools.
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I have thought there was some advantage even in death, by which we mingle with the herd of common men.
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You may raise enough money to tunnel a mountain, but you cannot raise money enough to hire a man who is minding his own business.
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He who cannot exaggerate is not qualified to utter truth.
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What is a country without rabbits and partridges? They are among the most simple and indigenous animal products ancient and venerable families known to antiquity as to modern times of the very hue and substance of Nature, nearest allied to leaves and to the ground.
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The tavern will compare favorably with the church.
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Explore thyself. Herein are demanded the eye and the nerve.
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The chimney is to some extent an independent structure, standing on the ground, and rising through the house to the heavens evenafter the house is burned it still stands sometimes, and its importance and independence are apparent.
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All men are children, and of one family. The same tale sends them all to bed, and wakes them in the morning.
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Sell your clothes- keep your thoughts.
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Every man must walk to the beat of his own drummer.
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However mean your life is, meet it and live it do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not so bad as you are.
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The child should have the advantage of ignorance as well as of knowledge, and is fortunate if he gets his share of neglect and exposure.
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Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.
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As a man grows older, his ability to sit still and follow indoor occupations increases. He grows vespertinal in his habits as theevening of life approaches, till at last he comes forth only just before sundown, and gets all the walk that he requires in half an hour.
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