Quote by Henry David Thoreau

See how he cowers and sneaks, how vaguely all the day he fears, not being immortal nor divine, but the slave and prisoner of his own opinion of himself, a fame won by his own deeds.

See how he cowers and sneaks, how vaguely all the day he fea

Summary

This quote highlights the self-imposed limitations that individuals place on themselves due to their own perception of their worth. It suggests that the person described is constantly living in fear and insecurity, lacking the confidence that comes from accepting their mortality and imperfections. Rather than embracing their humanity, they rely on self-created fame and achievements to validate their existence. Ultimately, they remain confined by their own opinions of themselves, unable to fully experience freedom and authenticity.

Topics

By Henry David Thoreau

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

In a sense, words are encyclopedias of ignorance because the

In a sense, words are encyclopedias of ignorance because they freeze perceptions at one moment in history and then insist we continue to use these frozen perceptions when we should be doing better.

Every talent must unfold itself in fighting.

Every talent must unfold itself in fighting.

Friedrich Nietzsche

In the arts, the critic is the only independent source of in

In the arts, the critic is the only independent source of information. The rest is advertising.

Do not make yourself so big, you are not so small.

Do not make yourself so big, you are not so small.

Yiddish Proverb

Music is really something that makes people whole.

Music is really something that makes people whole.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

When I was young, I said to God, god, tell me the mystery o

When I was young, I said to God, god, tell me the mystery of the universe. But God answered, that knowledge is for me alone. So I said, god, tell me the mystery of the peanut. Then God said, well, George, that's more nearly your size.

George Washington Carver

I look back into past history, the stored experiences or pro

I look back into past history, the stored experiences or products of the imagination. I look no further forward than the evening.

I was a handful growing up.

I was a handful growing up.

A nation is the same people living in the same place.

A nation is the same people living in the same place.

Nationalism Nation Nationality

Once again there was the desert, and that only.

Once again there was the desert, and that only.

Man Roland King Stephen Dark Tower Black Chambers Deschain Gunslinger Jake Desert

Of all the senses, sight must be the most delightful.

Of all the senses, sight must be the most delightful.

A friend is a lot of things, but a critic isn't.

A friend is a lot of things, but a critic isn't.