Henry David Thoreau Quotations: OBSERVATIONS
The mind that perceives clearly any natural beauty is in that instant withdrawn from human society. My desire for society is infinitely increased—my fitness for any actual society is diminished.—Journal, 26 July 1852
The most beautiful thing in Nature is the sun reflected from a tear-ful cloud.—Journal, 7 September 1851
The oldest Egyptian or Hindoo philosopher raised a corner of the veil from the statue of the divinity; and still the trembling robe remains raised, and I gaze upon as fresh a glory as he did, since it was I in him that was then so bold, and it is he in me that now reviews the vision.—Walden
The only danger in Friendship is that it will end.—A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers
The only faith that men recognize is a creed. But the true creed which we unconsciously live by, and which rather adopts us than we it, is quite different from the written or preached one.—Journal, 3 September 1839
The prosaic mind sees things badly, or with the bodily sense; but the poet sees them clad in beauty, with the spiritual sense.—Journal, 9 December 1859
The question is not what you look at, but what you see.—Journal, 5 August 1851
The Scarlet Oak asks a clear sky and the brightness of late October days. These bring out its colors.—"Autumnal Tints"
The seasons and all their changes are in me.—Journal, 26 October 1857
The sky is always ready to answer to our moods.—Journal, 28 December 1851
