Thoreau on miracle of friendship (6)

However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names. It is not bad... it looks poorest when you are richest. The fault-finder will find faults, even in paradise. Love your life, poor as it is. You may have perhaps some pleasant, thrilling, glorious hours, even in a poor house.

Henry David Thoreau

Absolutely speaking, do unto others as you would that they should do unto you is by no means a golden rule, but the best of current silver. An honest man would have but little occasion for it. It is golden not to have any rule at all in such a case.

Henry David Thoreau

Haste makes waste, no less in life than in housekeeping.

Henry David Thoreau

The greater part of what my neighbors call good I believe in my soul to be bad, and if I repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior.

Henry David Thoreau

Behave so the aroma of your actions may enhance the general sweetness of the atmosphere.

Henry David Thoreau

Be not simply good; be good for something.

Henry David Thoreau

The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?

Henry David Thoreau

Speech is for the convenience of those who are hard of hearing; but there are many fine things which we cannot say if we have to shout.

Henry David Thoreau

It is not all books that are as dull as their readers.

Henry David Thoreau

As to conforming outwardly, and living your own life inwardly, I have not a very high opinion of that course.

Henry David Thoreau

We shall see but a little way if we require to understand what we see.

Henry David Thoreau

Glances of true beauty can be seen in the faces of those who live in true meekness.

Henry David Thoreau

Friends will be much apart. They will respect more each other's privacy than their communion.

Henry David Thoreau

Whatever sentence will bear to be read twice, we may be sure was thought twice

Henry David Thoreau

Water is the only drink for a wise man.

Henry David Thoreau

What is peculiar in the life of a man consists not in his obedience, but his opposition, to his instincts. In one direction or another he strives to live a supernatural life.

Henry David Thoreau

The finest qualities of our nature, like the bloom on fruits, can be preserved only by the most delicate handling.

Henry David Thoreau

Our manners have been corrupted by communication with the saints.

Henry David Thoreau

Nature abhors a vacuum, and if I can only walk with sufficient carelessness I am sure to be filled.

Henry David Thoreau

I think that we may safely trust a good deal more than we do. We may waive just so much care of ourselves as we honestly bestow elsewhere.

Henry David Thoreau

A man cannot be said to succeed in this life who does not satisfy one friend.

Henry David Thoreau

There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself.

Henry David Thoreau

We need only travel enough to give our intellects an airing.

Henry David Thoreau

Be true to your work, your word, and your friend.

Henry David Thoreau

A kitten is so flexible that she is almost double; the hind parts are equivalent to another kitten with which the forepart plays. She does not discover that her tail belongs to her until you tread on it.

Henry David Thoreau