Walden — Henry David Thoreau

Walden

Henry David Thoreau · Licence: Public domain · Source

• Thus was my first year's life in the woods completed; and the second year was similar to it. I finally left Walden September 6th, 1847. ¶541
• "Direct your eye right inward, and you'll find A thousand regions in your mind Yet undiscovered. Travel them, and be Expert in home-cosmography." ¶545
• "Erret, et extremos alter scrutetur Iberos. Plus habet hic vitae, plus habet ille viae." ¶547
• Let them wander and scrutinize the outlandish Australians. I have more of God, they more of the road. ¶548
• I do not say that John or Jonathan will realize all this; but such is the character of that morrow which mere lapse of time can never make to dawn. The light which puts out our eyes is darkness to us. Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star. ¶566
• But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but _at once_ a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it. ¶570
• "Not a drum was heard, not a funeral note, As his corse to the rampart we hurried; Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot O'er the grave where our hero we buried." ¶572
• "I am too high-born to be propertied, To be a secondary at control, Or useful serving-man and instrument To any sovereign state throughout the world." ¶574
• He who gives himself entirely to his fellow-men appears to them useless and selfish; but he who gives himself partially to them is pronounced a benefactor and philanthropist. ¶575
• How does it become a man to behave toward this American government to-day? I answer, that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it. I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as _my_ government which is the _slave's_ government also. ¶576
• In their practice, nations agree with Paley; but does any one think that Massachusetts does exactly what is right at the present crisis? ¶579
• "A drab of state, a cloth-o'-silver slut, To have her train borne up, and her soul trail in the dirt." ¶580
• I pumped my fellow-prisoner as dry as I could, for fear I should never see him again; but at length he showed me which was my bed, and left me to blow out the lamp. ¶601
• This is the whole history of "My Prisons." ¶606
• This, then, is my position at present. But one cannot be too much on his guard in such a case, lest his action be biased by obstinacy or an undue regard for the opinions of men. Let him see that he does only what belongs to himself and to the hour. ¶610
• "We must affect our country as our parents, And if at any time we alienate Our love or industry from doing it honor, We must respect effects and teach the soul Matter of conscience and religion, And not desire of rule or benefit." ¶613

RetourSuite →Livres de sentences