The earth is not a mere fragment of dead history, stratum upon stratum like the leaves of a book, to be studied by geologists and antiquaries chiefly, but living poetry like the leaves of a tree, which precede flowers and fruit ~ not a fossil earth, but a living earth; compared with whose great central life all animal and vegetable life is merely parasitic. Its throes will heave our exuviæ from their graves ... You may melt your metals and cast them into the most beautiful moulds you can; they will never excite me like the forms which this molten earth flows out into.
Henry David ThoreauEvery man will be a poet if he can; otherwise a philosopher or man of science. This proves the superiority of the poet.
Henry David ThoreauWe are independent of the change we detect. The longer the lever, the less perceptible its motion. It is the slowest pulsation which is the most vital. The hero then will know how to wait, as well as to make haste. All good abides with him who waiteth wisely; we shall sooner overtake the dawn by remaining here than by hurrying over the hills of the west.
Henry David ThoreauWe are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers.
Henry David ThoreauIt requires more than a day's devotion to know and to possess the wealth of a day.
Henry David Thoreau