While born centuries ago, Henry David Thoreau’s views are far from antiquated. The philosopher-poet believed that all people are inherently good, and that organized religion and politics offered themselves as major sources of corruption. His master work, Walden, solidified his place among the great poets of history, and served as a field guide for self-sufficiency.
Thoreau’s fascinating and far-reaching work has inspired generations of artists and writers, including Spencer Byles. As the following Henry David Thoreau quotes show, it’s easy to see why:
"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."Pexels
"The universe is wider than our views of it." John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons
"It appears to be a law that you cannot have a deep sympathy with both man and nature."Pexels
"Goodness is the only investment that never fails." Darinka Maja/Flickr
"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it."Victorgrigas/Wikimedia Commons
"This world is but a canvas to our imagination."Pexels
"Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it." Pexels
"Wealth is the ability to fully experience life." Pexels
"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us." Pexels
"Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around."Pixabay
"There is no remedy for love but to love more." Pexels
"Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves."Pexels
"Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads." Pexels
"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." Pixabay
"Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something." Pixabay
"Never look back unless you are planning on going that way." Pexels
"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake." Pexels
"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." Pexels
"It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things." Pixabay
"It is never too late to give up our prejudices." Pexels
"Dreams are the touchstones of our character."Pexels
"The heart is forever inexperienced." Pexels
"It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know." Pexels
"Money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul."Pexels
24 Timeless Henry David Thoreau Quotes That’ll Change Your Worldview
Next, read these Ernest Hemingway quotes on life and war.
