A living dog is better than a dead lion. Shall…

A living dog is better than a dead lion. Shall a man go and hang himself because he belongs to the race of pygmies, and not be the biggest pygmy that he can? Let every one mind his own business, and endeavor to be what he was made. Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed and in such desperate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

Sourced, Walden
(1854)

Other Henry David Thoreau Quotes

A man who must separate himself from his neighbours’ habits in order to be happy, is in much the same case with one who requires to take opium for the same purpose. What we want to see is one who can breast into the world, do a man’s work, and still preserve his first and pure enjoyment of existence. - View Quote Details on A man who must separate himself from his neighbours’ habits…
That virtue we appreciate is as much ours as another’s. We see so much only as we possess. - View Quote Details on That virtue we appreciate is as much ours as another’s…
One cannot too soon forget his errors and misdemeanors. To dwell long upon them is to add to the offense. Repentance and sorrow can only be displaced by something better, which is as free and original as if they had not been. - View Quote Details on One cannot too soon forget his errors and misdemeanors. To…
The commonest and cheapest sounds, as the barking of a dog, produce the same effect on fresh and healthy ears that the rarest music does. It depends on your appetite for sound. Just as a crust is sweeter to a healthy appetite than confectionery to a pampered or diseased one. - View Quote Details on The commonest and cheapest sounds, as the barking of a…
Whate’er we leave to God, God does
And blesses us. - View Quote Details on Whate’er we leave to God, God does
And blesses us.
Men go to a fire for entertainment. When I see how eagerly men will run to a fire, whether in warm or in cold weather, by day or by night, dragging an engine at their heels, I’m astonished to perceive how good a purpose the level of excitement is made to serve. - View Quote Details on Men go to a fire for entertainment. When I see…
A slight sound at evening lifts me up by the ears, and makes life seem inexpressibly serene and grand. It may be Uranus, or it may be in the shutter. - View Quote Details on A slight sound at evening lifts me up by the…
How does it become a man to behave toward this American government today? I answered that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it. - View Quote Details on How does it become a man to behave toward this…
They who know of no purer sources of truth, who have traced up its stream no higher, stand, and wisely stand, by the Bible and the Constitution, and drink at it there with reverence and humility; but they who behold where it comes trickling into this lake or that pool, gird up their loins once more, and continue their pilgrimage toward its fountain-head. - View Quote Details on They who know of no purer sources of truth, who…
The eye may see for the hand, but not for the mind. - View Quote Details on The eye may see for the hand, but not for…