Ice is an interesting subject for contemplation. They told me that they had some in the ice-houses at Fresh Pond five years old which was as good as ever. Why is it that a bucket of water soon becomes putrid, but frozen remains sweet forever? It is commonly said that this is the difference between the affections and the intellect.
Henry David ThoreauMy themes will not be far-fetched. I will tell of homely every-day phenomena and adventures.
Henry David ThoreauAs a snow-drift is formed where there is a lull in the wind, so, one would say, where there is a lull of truth, an institution springs up.
Henry David ThoreauAnd so the seasons went rolling on into summer, as one rambles into higher and higher grass.
Henry David ThoreauA man must find his occasions in himself, it is true. The natural day is very calm, and will hardly reprove his indolence.
Henry David ThoreauI wish to suggest that a man may be very industrious, and yet not spend his time well. There is no more fatal blunderer than he who consumes the greater part of his life getting his living. All great enterprises are self-supporting. The poet, for instance, must sustain his body by his poetry, as a steam planing-mill feeds its boilers with the shavings it makes. You must get your living by loving.
Henry David Thoreau