Henry David Thoreau, Walden, ch. Quotes

A collection of quotes by Henry David Thoreau, Walden, ch..

Henry David Thoreau was an American writer, philosopher, and naturalist, best known for his book "Walden." He was born on July 12, 1817, in Concord, Massachusetts, and grew up in a modest household. Thoreau attended Harvard University, where he studied philosophy and languages.

In 1845, Thoreau decided to live a simple and minimalist life in a small cabin near Walden Pond, owned by his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson. He lived there for two years, immersing himself in nature and using the solitude to reflect on life and society. Thoreau's experiences during this period formed the basis of his most famous work, "Walden; or, Life in the Woods," which he published in 1854.

"Walden" explores themes of self-reliance, simplicity, and the importance of living in harmony with nature. Thoreau's writing in the book advocates for a simpler and more meaningful existence, and emphasizes the value of introspection and solitude. Through his observations of the natural world, Thoreau also raises questions about the impact of industrialization and urbanization on society.

Apart from "Walden," Thoreau also wrote essays, lectures, and poems on various subjects, including politics and social issues. He was an ardent abolitionist and an advocate for civil disobedience as a means of protest against unjust laws. Thoreau's writings continue to inspire and influence readers with their profound insights and timeless relevance. He passed away on May 6, 1862, leaving behind a rich literary legacy and a lasting impact on environmental and social activism.

In our most trivial walks, we are constantly, though unconsc

In our most trivial walks, we are constantly, though unconsciously, steering like pilots by certain well-known beacons and headlands, and if we go beyond our usual course we still carry in our minds the bearing of some neighboring cape; and not till we are completely lost, or turned round -- for a man needs only to be turned round once with his eyes shut in this world to be lost -- do we appreciate the vastness and strangeness of nature. Every man has to learn the points of compass again as often as be awakes, whether from sleep or any abstraction. Not till we are lost, in other words not till we have lost the world, do we begin to find ourselves, and realize where we are and the infinite extent of our relations.

Henry David Thoreau, Walden, ch.

Discovery