Quote by Henry David Thoreau

I saw that the State was half-witted, that it was timid as a lone woman with her silver spoons, and that it did not know its friends from its foes, and I lost all my remaining respect for it, and pitied it.

I saw that the State was half-witted, that it was timid as a

Summary

In this quote, the speaker expresses their disillusionment with the State. They observe that the State lacks intelligence and courage, comparing it to a vulnerable woman concerned about protecting her valuable possessions. The speaker concludes that the State is incapable of distinguishing its true allies from its enemies. As a result of this realization, the speaker no longer has any respect for the State and instead feels a sense of pity towards it.

Topics

By Henry David Thoreau

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Shakespeare opens a mine which contains gold and diamonds in

Shakespeare opens a mine which contains gold and diamonds in unexhaustible plenty, though clouded by incrustations, debased by impurities, and mingled with a mass of meaner minerales.

Shakespeare Critic

I think if you do something effectively whether you're the l

I think if you do something effectively whether you're the lover or the comic or the action guy or the villain like I play movies are very expensive to make. Chances are you'll get asked to play that part again.

Christopher Walken

After all manner of professors have done their best for us,

After all manner of professors have done their best for us, the place we are to get knowledge is in books. The true university of these days is a collection of books.

There have been many different artists that have been inspir

There have been many different artists that have been inspirational. I suppose the question is directed to what was the reason why I went into fantasy illustration.

The decision to kiss for the first time is the most crucial

The decision to kiss for the first time is the most crucial in any love story. It changes the relationship of two people much more strongly than even the final surrender because this kiss already has within it that surrender.

Nature, like man, sometimes weeps from gladness.

Nature, like man, sometimes weeps from gladness.

Benjamin Disraeli

It is no surprise to me that hardly anyone tells the truth a

It is no surprise to me that hardly anyone tells the truth about how they feel. The smart ones keep themselves to themselves for good reason. Why would you want to tell anyone anything that's dear to you? Even when you like them and want nothing more than to be closer than close to them? It's so painful to be next to someone you feel strongly about and know you can't say the things you want to.

The test of one's behavior pattern; relationship to society,

The test of one's behavior pattern; relationship to society, relationship to one's work, relationship to sex.

The world will change for the better when people decide they

The world will change for the better when people decide they are sick and tired of being sick and tired of the way the world is, and decide to change themselves.

We are in fact convinced that if we are ever to have pure kn

We are in fact convinced that if we are ever to have pure knowledge of anything, we must get rid of the body and contemplate things by themselves with the soul by itself. It seems, to judge from the argument, that the wisdom which we desire and upon which we profess to have set our hearts will be attainable only when we are dead and not in our lifetime.

But my most favourite pursuit, after my daily exertions at t

But my most favourite pursuit, after my daily exertions at the Foundry, was Astronomy. There were frequently clear nights when the glorious objects in the Heavens were seen in most attractive beauty and brilliancy.

People do not deserve to have good writings; they are so ple

People do not deserve to have good writings; they are so pleased with the bad.

Ralph Waldo Emerson