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You will pardon some obscurities, for there are more secrets in my trade than in most men's, and yet not voluntarily kept, but inseparable from its very nature. I would gladly tell all that I know about it, and never paint No Admittance on my gate.

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
Men
Kept
Gladly
Paint
Gate
Trade
Obscurity
Secret
Inseparable
Tell
Pardon
Nature
Gates
Obscurities
Never
Secrets
Admittance
Would
Clarity
Voluntarily

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I would give all the wealth of the world, and all the deeds of all the heroes, for one true vision.
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The oldest, wisest politician grows not more human so, but is merely a gray wharf rat at last.
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The most stupendous scenery ceases to be sublime when it becomes distinct, or in other words limited, and the imagination is no longer encouraged to exaggerate it. The actual height and breadth of a mountain or a waterfall are always ridiculously small they are the imagined only that content us.
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The future is too soon the past. So make perseverance your excellence and go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
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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.
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There must be the... generating force of Love behind every effort destined to be successful.
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Be not anxious to avoid poverty. In this way the wealth of the universe may be securely invested.
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Continued traveling is far from productive. It begins with wearing away the soles of the shoes, and making the feet sore, and erelong it will wear a man clean up, after making his heart sore into the bargain. I have observed that the afterlife of those who have traveled much is very pathetic.
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I never dreamed of any enormity greater than I have committed. I never knew, and never shall know, a worse man than myself.
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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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The world rests on principles.
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It takes two to speak the truth: one to speak, and another to hear.
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I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time. To be in company, even with the best, is soon wearisome and dissipating. I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.
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There is no ill which may not be dissipated, like the dark, if you let in a stronger light upon it.
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The opportunities of living are diminished in proportion as what are called the means are increased.
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Be it life or death, we crave only reality.
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The imagination never forgets it is a re-membering. It is not foundationless, but most reasonable, and it alone uses all the knowledge of the intellect.
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Unless the human race perspire more than I do, there is no occasion to live by the sweat of their brow. If men cannot get on without money (the smallest amount will suffice), the truest method of earning it is by working as a laborer at one dollar per day. You are least dependent so I speak as an expert, having used several kinds of labor.
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Who hears the fishes when they cry?
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The great poem must have the stamp of greatness as well as its essence.
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