Henry David Thoreau

Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.

Nay, be a Columbus to whole new continents and worlds within you, opening new channels, not of trade, but of thought.

My facts shall be falsehoods to the common sense. I would so state facts that they shall be significant, shall be myths or mythologies. Facts which the mind perceived, thoughts which the body thought – with these I deal.

The only wealth is life.

We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.

I would not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well.

Write without pay until somebody offers to pay you. If nobody offers within three years, sawing wood is what you were intended for.

There are times when one would like to hang the whole human race, and finish the farce.

A perfectly healthy sentence, it is true, is extremely rare. For the most part we miss the hue and fragrance of the thought; as if we could be satisfied with the dews of the morning or evening without their colors, or the heavens without their azure.

A blind man knows he cannot see, and is glad to be led, though it be by a dog; but he that is blind in his understanding, which is the worst blindness of all, believes he sees as the best, and scorns a guide.

No place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human hopes, than a public library.

Revenge is the act of passion, vengeance is an act of justice.

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.

You will find only what you bring in.

The most anxious man in a prison is the governor.

Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; adversity not without many comforts and hopes.

In this magical hour, as the black ink sky fades to forget-me-not grey and the Cyprus trees emerge from the shadows, I tune in to my heart. In clarity, I choose to step into freedom to bring lightness of being and to be love.

I don’t think it’s meant for man to know everything at once.

The nose of the bulldog has been slanted backwards so that he can breathe without letting go.

Shams and delusions are esteemed for soundest truths, while reality is fabulous. If men would steadily observe realities only, and not allow themselves to be deluded, life … would be like a fairy tale and the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments.

Our manners have been corrupted by communication with the saints.