Quote by Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Shams and delusions are esteemed for soundest truths, while reality is fabulous. If men would steadily observe realities only, and not allow themselves to be deluded, life ... would be like a fairy tale and the Arabian Nights' Entertainments.

Shams and delusions are esteemed for soundest truths, while

Summary

This quote suggests that people often value false beliefs and illusions as the most valid and accepted truths, while disregarding real, tangible realities. If individuals were to consistently perceive and acknowledge only what is true and genuine, life itself would resemble a fantastical fairy tale or the captivating stories found in the Arabian Nights' Entertainments. Essentially, the quote urges people to seek out and embrace reality rather than being lost in delusions.

Topics

Reality

By Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Why does nothing change, even when you set out for a faraway

Why does nothing change, even when you set out for a faraway place?

Inspirational Introspection Korea Kim Korean Young Ha

I have no time for those who say there is no way Scotland co

I have no time for those who say there is no way Scotland could go it alone. I know first-hand the contribution Scotland and Scots make to Britain's success - so for me there's no question about whether Scotland could be an independent nation.

Alone

Not marble nor the gilded monumentsOf princes, shall outlive

Not marble nor the gilded monumentsOf princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme,But you shall shine more bright in these contentsThan unswept stone, besmeared with sluttish time.When wasteful war shall statues overturnAnd broils roots out the work of masonry,Nor mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burnThe living record of your memory.'Gainst death and all-oblivious enmityShall you pace forth; your praise shall still find roomEven in the eyes of all posterityThat wear this world out to the ending doom.So, till judgement that yourself arise,You in this, and dwell in lovers eyes.

William Shakespeare

Art Memory Fame Remembrance Posterity Monuments Sonnet 55

I know in my own marriage I stayed in it to provide my son w

I know in my own marriage I stayed in it to provide my son with what I thought was a stable background and to give him what I thought was the family life a child should have with two parents. But that isn't always the best way, and it took me taking my son to therapy after the divorce to really see it.

Marriage

I'm not itching to sue Amazon or Wal-Mart... they sell a lot

I'm not itching to sue Amazon or Wal-Mart... they sell a lot of books. But the future is very uncertain with books.

Future

?What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it

?What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and work flow.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Home Heaven Sacred Luther Martin Martin Luther

The truth is that most busy people cannot sustain a seven-da

The truth is that most busy people cannot sustain a seven-day-a-week training schedule. There are too many other stresses and responsibilities in their lives.

PattiSue Plumber

Training

Why should we look to the past in order to prepare for the f

Why should we look to the past in order to prepare for the future? Because there is nowhere else to look.

Past

Time and memory are true artists; they remould reality neare

Time and memory are true artists; they remould reality nearer to the heart's desire.

We have grown literally afraid to be poor. We despise anyone

We have grown literally afraid to be poor. We despise anyone who elects to be poor in order to simplify and save his inner life. If he does not join the general scramble and pant with the money-making street, we deem him spiritless and lacking in ambition.

Poverty

America is just the country that how all the written guarant

America is just the country that how all the written guarantees in the world for freedom are no protection against tyranny and oppression of the worst kind. There the politician has come to be looked upon as the very scum of society.

Peter Kropotkin

Freedom

I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedo

I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy -- but that could change.

Freedom