Transcendentalism Transcendentalism QuotationsQuotations

Emerson and ThoreauEmerson and Thoreau

Thoreau, “Civil Disobedience”Thoreau, “Civil Disobedience”

I HEARTILY ACCEPT the motto, — "That I HEARTILY ACCEPT the motto, — "That government is best which governs least" government is best which governs least"

Thoreau, “Civil Disobedience”Thoreau, “Civil Disobedience”

I ask for, not at once no government, but I ask for, not at once no government, but at at onceonce a better government. a better government.

Thoreau, “Civil Disobedience”Thoreau, “Civil Disobedience”

I cannot for an instant recognize that political I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as organization as mymy government which is the government which is the slave'sslave's government also. government also.

Thoreau, “Civil Disobedience”Thoreau, “Civil Disobedience”

The authority of government, even such as I The authority of government, even such as I am willing to submit to — for I will cheerfully am willing to submit to — for I will cheerfully obey those who know and can do better than I, obey those who know and can do better than I, and in many things even those who neither and in many things even those who neither know nor can do so well — is still an impure know nor can do so well — is still an impure one: to be strictly just, it must have the one: to be strictly just, it must have the sanction and consent of the governed. sanction and consent of the governed.

Thoreau, “Slavery in Thoreau, “Slavery in Massachusetts”Massachusetts”

There is not one slave in Nebraska; there are There is not one slave in Nebraska; there are perhaps a million slaves in Massachusetts. perhaps a million slaves in Massachusetts.

Thoreau, “Slavery in Thoreau, “Slavery in Massachusetts”Massachusetts”

The law will never make men free; it is men The law will never make men free; it is men who have got to make the law free. They are who have got to make the law free. They are the lovers of law and order who observe the the lovers of law and order who observe the law when the government breaks it. law when the government breaks it.

Thoreau, “Walking”Thoreau, “Walking”

If you are ready to leave father and mother, If you are ready to leave father and mother, and brother and sister, and wife and child and and brother and sister, and wife and child and friends,friends,(3)(3) and never see them again; if you and never see them again; if you have paid your debts, and made your will, and have paid your debts, and made your will, and settled all your affairs, and are a free man; then settled all your affairs, and are a free man; then you are ready for a walk. you are ready for a walk.

Thoreau, “Walking”Thoreau, “Walking”

I have met with but one or two persons in the I have met with but one or two persons in the course of my life who understood the art of course of my life who understood the art of Walking, that is, of taking walks, who had a Walking, that is, of taking walks, who had a genius, so to speak, for genius, so to speak, for saunteringsauntering; ;

Thoreau, “Walking”Thoreau, “Walking”

Life consists with Wildness. The most alive is Life consists with Wildness. The most alive is the wildest. the wildest.

Thoreau, “Walking”Thoreau, “Walking”

When I would recreate myself, I seek the When I would recreate myself, I seek the darkest wood, the thickest and most darkest wood, the thickest and most interminable, and, to the citizen, most dismal interminable, and, to the citizen, most dismal swamp. I enter a swamp as a sacred place — a swamp. I enter a swamp as a sacred place — a sanctum sanctorumsanctum sanctorum. .

Emerson, “Self-Reliance”Emerson, “Self-Reliance”

To believe your own thought, to believe that To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, -- that is genius. true for all men, -- that is genius.

Emerson, “Self-Reliance”Emerson, “Self-Reliance”

There is a time in every man's education when There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better, for worse, as his must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion; portion;

Emerson, “Self-Reliance”Emerson, “Self-Reliance”

Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. string.

Emerson, “Self-Reliance”Emerson, “Self-Reliance”

Society everywhere is in conspiracy against Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. the manhood of every one of its members.

Emerson, “Self-Reliance”Emerson, “Self-Reliance”

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. wall.

Emerson, “Self-Reliance”Emerson, “Self-Reliance”

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles. of principles.

Emerson, “Friendship”Emerson, “Friendship”

We have a great deal more kindness than is We have a great deal more kindness than is ever spoken. ever spoken.

Emerson, “Friendship”Emerson, “Friendship”

A friend is a person with whom I may be A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud. sincere. Before him I may think aloud.

Emerson, “Friendship”Emerson, “Friendship”

Thus every man passes his life in the search Thus every man passes his life in the search after friendship, and if he should record his after friendship, and if he should record his true sentiment, he might write a letter like this true sentiment, he might write a letter like this to each new candidate for his love. to each new candidate for his love.

Emerson, “Friendship”Emerson, “Friendship”

The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one. way to have a friend is to be one.