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Henry David Thoreau — Portrait after a picture by B. D. Maxham (public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.

The quotations of

Henry David Thoreau

American essayist, poet, and philosopher

1817–1862

81 quotes, most often on Life & Death, Government and Money. Part of the Writers collection.

To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts; but so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates.
- Philosophy
- Wisdom
None can be an impartial or wise observer of human life but from the vantage ground of what we should call voluntary poverty.
Walden (1854)In context
- Money
- Wisdom
A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority. There is but little virtue in the action of masses of men.
Civil Disobedience (1849)In context
- Democracy
- Wisdom
A grain of gold will gild a great surface, but not so much as a grain of wisdom.
Life Without Principle (1863), p. 488
- Wisdom
There are nowadays professors of philosophy, but not philosophers. Yet it is admirable to profess because it was once admirable to live. To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school, but so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates, a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust.
Walden (1854), Economy (1 of 3)In context
- Philosophy
- Wisdom

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