It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and the medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.
—WaldenIt is strange that men are in such a haste to get fame as teachers rather than knowledge as learners.
—Journal, 11 March 1856It is strange that men will talk of miracles, revelation, inspiration, and the like, as things past, while love remains.
—"Chastity and Sensuality"It is the greatest of all advantages to enjoy no advantage at all. I find it invariably true, the poorer I am, the richer I am. What you consider my disadvantage, I consider my advantage.
—Journal, 5 December 1856It is the imagination of poets which puts those brave speeches into the mouths of their heroes.
—A Week on the Concord and Merrimack RiversIt is the lighting up of the mist by the sun. Man cannot know in any higher sense than this, any more than he can look serenely and with impunity in the face of the sun: Ὡς τὶ νοῶν, οὐ κεῖνον νοήσεις,—“You will not perceive that, as perceiving a particular thing,” say the Chaldean Oracles.
—"Walking"It is thought Utopian to propose spending money for things which more intelligent men know to be of far more worth.
—WaldenIt is time that we had uncommon schools, that we did not leave off our education when we begin to be men and women.
—WaldenIt is well to find your employment and amusement in simple and homely things. These wear best and yield most.
—Journal, 5 October 1856It is wise to write on many subjects, to try many themes, that so you may find the right and inspiring one.
—Journal, 4 September 1851It is with science as with ethics,—we cannot know truth by contrivance and method; the Baconian is as false as any other, and with all the helps of machinery and the arts, the most scientific will still be the healthiest and friendliest man, and possess a more perfect Indian wisdom.
—"Natural History of Massachusetts"It makes no odds into what seeming deserts the poet is born. Though all his neighbors pronounce it a Sahara, it will be a paradise to him; for the desert which we see is the result of the barrenness of our experience.
—Journal, 6 May 1854It may be translated into every language, and not only be read but actually breathed from human lips;—not be represented on canvas and marble only, but be carved out of the breath of life itself.
—WaldenIt might seem that I had some spite against the priest, but not so, I am on as good terms with him as with another man.
—A Week on the Concord and Merrimack RiversIt seems to be a law that you cannot have a deep sympathy with both man and nature.
—Journal, 11 April 1852It takes a man of genius to travel in his own country, in his native village; to make any progress between his door and his gate.
—Journal, 6 August 1851It takes two to speak the truth,—one to speak, and another to hear.
—A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers