Quote

Thus the State never intentionally confronts a man's sense, intellectual or moral, but only his body, his senses. It is not armed with superior wit or honesty, but with superior physical strength. I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion.

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
Born
Honesty
Armed
Sense
Thus
Wit
States
Physical
Superior
Body
Intellectual
Superiors
Never
Strength
Forced
Men
Fashion
Revolutionary
Moral
Senses
Confronts
State
Breathe
Intentionally

More quotes by Henry David Thoreau

Image
The stars are the jewels of the night, and perchance surpass anything which day has to show.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Do not read the newspapers.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Most people dread finding out when they come to die that they have never really lived.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
As we looked up in silence to those distant lights, we were reminded that it was a rare imagination which first taught that the stars are worlds, and had conferred a great benefit on mankind.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
It is usually the imagination that is wounded first, rather than the heart it being much more sensitive.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
A man will not need to study history to find out what is best for his own culture.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
I found in myself, and still find, an instinct toward a higher, or, as it is named, spiritual life, as do most men, and another toward a primitive rank and savage one, and I reverence them both. I love the wild not less than the good.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Of what significance the light of day, if it is not the reflection of an inward dawn?--to what purpose is the veil of night withdrawn, if the morning reveals nothing to the soul? It is merely garish and glaring.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
The constant abrasion and decay of our lives makes the soil of our future growth.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Sometimes we are clarified and calmed healthily, as we never were before in our lives, not by an opiate, but by some unconscious obedience to the all-just laws, so that we become like a still lake of purest crystal and without an effort our depths are revealed to ourselves. . . .
Henry David Thoreau
Image
It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
It is after we get home that we really go over the mountain, if ever.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Give me a Wildness whose glance no civilization can endure.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
There is no more fatal blunderer than he who consumes the greater part of his life getting his living.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
I knew that the wall was the main thing in Quebec, and had cost a great deal of money.... In fact, these are the only remarkable walls we have in North America, though we have a good deal of Virginia fence, it is true.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
The repugnance to animal food is not the effect of experience, but is an instinct. It appeared more beautiful to live low and farehard in many respects and though I never did so, I went far enough to please my imagination.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
When the State wishes to endow an academy or university, it grants it a tract of forest land: one saw represents an academy, a gang, a university.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Beware of any profession for which you must buy new clothes.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
They who are continually shocked by slavery have some right to be shocked by the violent death of the slaveholder, but no others.Such will be more shocked by his life than by his death.
Henry David Thoreau