Henry David Thoreau Quotations: ECONOMY
Roads are made for horses and men of business. I do not travel in them much comparatively, because I am not in a hurry to get to any tavern, or grocery, or livery stable, or depot to which they lead.—"Walking"
Some are "industrious," and appear to love labor for its own sake, or perhaps because it keeps them out of worse mischief; to such I have at present nothing to say. Those who would not know what to do with more leisure than they now enjoy, I might advise to work twice as hard as they do—work till they pay for themselves, and get their free papers.—Walden
Successful farming admits of no idling.—Journal, 23 July 1852
Superfluous wealth can buy superfluities only. Money is not required to buy one necessary of the soul.—Walden
That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest.—Journal, 11 March 1856
The ancient philosophers, Chinese, Hindoo, Persian, and Greek, were a class than which none has been poorer in outward riches, none so rich in inward. We know not much about them. It is remarkable that we know so much of them as we do.—Walden
The best thing a man can do for his culture when he is rich is to endeavor to carry out those schemes which he entertained when he was poor.—"Resistance to Civil Government"
The death of friends should inspire us as much as their lives. If they are great and rich enough, they will leave consolation to the mourners before the expenses of their funerals.—Journal, 19 February 1842
The farmer has always come to the field after some material thing: that is not what a philosopher goes there for.—Journal, 14 October 1857
The farmer increases the extent of habitable earth. He makes soil. That is an honorable occupation.—Journal, 2 March 1852
