Henry David Thoreau Quotations: Wealth & Poverty
One who knew how to appropriate the true value of this world would be the poorest man in it. The poor rich man! all he has is what he has bought. What I see is mine.—A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers
Poverty was her lot, but she possessed those virtues without which the rich are but poor.—"Died . . . Miss Anna Jones"
Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.—Walden
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 less you get, the happier and richer you are.—Journal, 28 November 1860
The rich man . . . is always sold to the institution which makes him rich.—"Resistance to Civil Government"
