Quote

How little do the most wonderful inventions of modern times detain us. They insult nature. Every machine, or particular application, seems a slight outrage against universal laws.

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
Times
Machines
Detain
Nature
Laws
Inventions
Seems
Universal
Slight
Littles
Progress
Outrage
Little
Particular
Application
Every
Modern
Insult
Wonderful
Machine
Law
Invention

More quotes by Henry David Thoreau

Image
Though my life is low, if my spirit looks upward habitually at an elevated angle, it is as if it were redeemed. When the desire to be better than we are is really sincere we are instantly elevated, and so far better already.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
I am struck by the simplicity of light in the atmosphere in the autumn, as if the earth absorbed none, and out of this profusion of dazzling light came the autumnal tints.
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
Image
I think that Nature meant kindly when she made our brothers few. However, my voice is still for peace.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Hear! hear! screamed the jay from a neighboring tree, where I had heard a tittering for some time, winter has a concentrated and nutty kernel, if you know where to look for it.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
A name pronounced is the recognition of the individual to whom it belongs. He who can pronounce my name aright, he can call me, and is entitled to my love and service.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
As yesterday and the historical ages are past, as the work of today is present, so some flitting perspectives and demi-experiencesof the life that is in nature are in time veritably future, or rather outside of time, perennial, young, divine, in the wind and rain which never die.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Only the defeated and deserters go to war.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
It is surprising how many great men and women a small house will contain.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
You don't know your testament when you see it.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Let us not underrate the value of a fact it will one day flower into a truth.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Heaven is not one of your fertile Ohio bottoms, you may depend on it.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
If you indulge in long periods, you must be sure to have a snapper at the end.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Endeavor to live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
The volatile truth of our words should continually betray the inadequacy of the residual statement.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
There never was and is not likely soon to be a nation of philosophers, nor am I certain it is desirable that there should be.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
The cart before the horse is neither beautiful nor useful. Before we can adorn our houses with beautiful objects the walls must bestripped, and our lives must be stripped, and beautiful housekeeping and beautiful living laid for a foundation.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
I make it my business to extract from Nature what ever nutriment she can furnish me.... I milk the sky and the earth.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
Faith keeps many doubts in her pay. If I could not doubt, I should not believe.
Henry David Thoreau
Image
One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something.
Henry David Thoreau