221 Quotes By Henry David Thoreau


True friendship can afford true knowledge. It does not depend on darkness and ignorance.
Henry David Thoreau on friendship

A man cannot be said to succeed in this life who does not satisfy one friend.
Henry David Thoreau on friendship

I had three chairs in my house one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.
Henry David Thoreau on friendship

Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth.
Henry David Thoreau on god

What is human warfare but just this an effort to make the laws of God and nature take sides with one party.
Henry David Thoreau on god

God reigns when we take a liberal view, when a liberal view is presented to us.
Henry David Thoreau on god

Not only must we be good, but we must also be good for something.
Henry David Thoreau on good

A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting.
Henry David Thoreau on good

Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.
Henry David Thoreau on good

Be not simply good - be good for something.
Henry David Thoreau on good

Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good be good for something.
Henry David Thoreau on good

As for doing good that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution.
Henry David Thoreau on good

If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life.
Henry David Thoreau on good

I have seen how the foundations of the world are laid, and I have not the least doubt that it will stand a good while.
Henry David Thoreau on good

There is more of good nature than of good sense at the bottom of most marriages.
Henry David Thoreau on good

That government is best which governs least.
Henry David Thoreau on government

If the machine of government is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.
Henry David Thoreau on government

How does it become a man to behave towards the American government today? I answer, that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it.
Henry David Thoreau on government

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison.
Henry David Thoreau on government

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?
Henry David Thoreau on great