Did you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly towards an object, and in no measure obtained it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not elevated? Did ever a man try heroism, magnanimity, truth, sincerity, and find that there was no advantage in them,--that it was a vain endeavor?
Henry David ThoreauMen do not fail commonly for want of knowledge, but for want of prudence to give wisdom the preference.
Henry David ThoreauThe study of geometry is a petty and idle exercise of the mind, if it is applied to no larger system than the starry one. Mathematics should be mixed not only with physics but with ethics; that is mixed mathematics.
Henry David ThoreauPity the man who has a character to support - it is worse than a large family - he is silent poor indeed.
Henry David ThoreauSo soon did we, wayfarers, begin to learn that man's life is rounded with the same few facts, the same simple relations everywhere, and it is vain to travel to find it new.
Henry David Thoreau