The Oriental philosophy approaches easily loftier themes than the modern aspires to; and no wonder if it sometimes prattle about them. It only assigns their due rank respectively to Action and Contemplation, or rather does full justice to the latter. Western philosophers have not conceived of the significance of Contemplation in their sense.
Henry David ThoreauWhy should not our whole life and its scenery be actually thus fair and distinct? All our lives want a suitable background. They should at least, like the life of the anchorite, be as impressive to behold as objects in a desert, a broken shaft or crumbling mound against a limitless horizon.
Henry David ThoreauI am alarmed when it happens that I have walked a mile into the woods bodily, without getting there in spirit.
Henry David ThoreauOur taste is too delicate and particular. It says nay to the poet's work, but never yea to his hope.
Henry David ThoreauWhat wealth is it to have such friends that we cannot think of them without elevation!
Henry David ThoreauI never dreamed of any enormity greater than I have committed. I never knew, and never shall know, a worse man than myself.
Henry David ThoreauA strange age of the world this, when empires, kingdoms, and republics come a-begging to a private man's door, and utter their complaints at his elbow! I cannot take up a newspaper but I find that some wretched government or other, hard pushed and on its last legs, is interceding with me, the reader, to vote for it.
Henry David Thoreau