If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. Henry David Thoreau on dreams
At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be infinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. Henry David Thoreau on exploration
Fame is not just. She never finely or discriminatingly praises, but coarsely hurrahs. Henry David Thoreau on fame
Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new. Henry David Thoreau on fashion
A man cannot be said to succeed in this life who does not satisfy one friend. Henry David Thoreau on friendship
To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts; but so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates. Henry David Thoreau on philosophy
We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success. Henry David Thoreau on success
I have learned this at least by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. Henry David Thoreau on success
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. Henry David Thoreau on success
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion. Henry David Thoreau on wealth
Few things are brought to a sucessful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought. Thucydides on forethought
Nowadays men lead lives of noisy desperation. James Thurber on life
Progress was all right. Only it went on too long. James Thurber on progress
Cunning...is but the low mimic of wisdom. Bolingbroke on cunning
To laugh, if but for an instant only, has never been granted to man before the fortieth day from his birth, and then it is looked upon as a miracle of precocity. Bolingbroke on laughter