Quote

Most men would feel insulted if it were proposed to employ them in throwing stones over a wall, and then in throwing them back, merely that they might earn their wages. But many are no more worthily employed now.

Henry David Thoreau

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Feels
Throwing
Proposed
Work
Stones
Employ
Would
Merely
Offended
Men
Wall
Employed
Back
Wages
Worthily
Might
Employment
Essayists
Many
Earn
Employing
Feel
Insult
Insulted

More quotes by Henry David Thoreau

Image
Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Books must be read as deliberately and reservedly as they were written.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Books, not which afford us a cowering enjoyment, but in which each thought is of unusual daring such as an idle man cannot read, and a timid one would not be entertained by, which even make us dangerous to existing institution - such call I good books.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
I sat at a table where were rich food and wine in abundance, and obsequious attendance, but sincerity and truth were not and I went away hungry from the inhospitable board.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
I was more independent than any farmer in Concord, for I was not anchored to a house or farm, but could follow the bent of my genius, which is a very crooked one, every moment.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Some would find fault with the morning, if they ever got up early enough.. The fault find faults even in Paradise.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
The youth may build or plant or sail, only let him not be hindered from doing that which he tells me he would like to do.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
A simple and independent mind does not toil at the bidding of any prince.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
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
Image
Every path but your own is the path of fate. Keep on your own track, then.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Life is so short that it is not wise to take roundabout ways, nor can we spend much time in waiting.... We have not got half-way to dawn yet.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Methinks I am never quite committed, never wholly the creature of my moods, but always to some extent their critic. My only integral experience is in my vision. I see, perchance, with more integrity than I feel.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
When I meet a government which says to me, Your money or your life, why should I be in haste to give it my money?
Henry David Thoreau
Image
That man is richest who's pleasure are cheapest.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Explore thyself. Herein are demanded the eye and the nerve.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
No man's thoughts are new, but the style of their expression is the never-failing novelty which cheers and refreshes men. If we were to answer the question, whether the mass of men, as we know them, talk as the standard authors and reviewers write, or rather as this man writes, we should say that he alone begins to write their language at all.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Absolutely speaking, Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you is by no means a golden rule, but the best of current silver. An honest man would have but little occasion for it. It is golden not to have any rule at all in such a case.
Henry David Thoreau