Friends — They are like air bubbles on water, hastening…

Friends — They are like air bubbles on water, hastening to flow together. History tells of Orestes and Pylades, Damon and Pythias, but why should not we put to shame those old reserved worthies by a community of such? Constantly, as it were through a remote skylight, I have glimpses of a serene friendship-land, and know the better why brooks murmur and violets grow. This conjunction of souls, like waves which met and break, subsides also backward over things, and gives all a fresh aspect. I would live henceforth with some gentle soul such a life as may be conceived, double for variety, single for harmony — two, only that we might admire at our oneness — one, because indivisible. Such community to be a pledge of holy living. How could aught unworthy be admitted into our society? To listen with one ear to each summer sound, to behold with one eye each summer scene, our visual rays so to meet and mingle with the object as to be one bent and doubled; with two tongues to be wearied, and thought to spring ceaselessly from a double fountain.

Sourced, Journals (1838-1859)

January 26, 1840

Other Henry David Thoreau Quotes

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I am as desirous of being a good neighbor as I am of being a bad subject. - View Quote Details on I am as desirous of being a good neighbor as…
It is so hard to forget what it is worse than useless to remember! If I am to be a thoroughfare, I prefer that it be of the mountain-brooks, the Parnassian streams, and not the town-sewers. There is inspiration, that gossip which comes to the ear of the attentive mind from the courts of heaven. There is the profane and stale revelation of the bar-room and the police court. The same ear is fitted to receive both communications. Only the character of the hearer determines to which it shall be open, and to which closed. I believe that the mind can be permanently profaned by the habit of attending to trivial things, so that all our thoughts shall be tinged with triviality. - View Quote Details on It is so hard to forget what it is worse…
Nothing is so much to be feared as fear. Atheism may comparatively be popular with God himself. - View Quote Details on Nothing is so much to be feared as fear. Atheism…
Men and boys are learning all kinds of trades but how to make men of themselves. They learn to make houses; but they are not so well housed, they are not so contented in their houses, as the woodchucks in their holes. What is the use of a house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on? — If you cannot tolerate the planet that it is on? Grade the ground first. If a man believes and expects great things of himself, it makes no odds where you put him, or what you show him… he will be surrounded by grandeur. He is in the condition of a healthy and hungry man, who says to himself, — How sweet this crust is! - View Quote Details on Men and boys are learning all kinds of trades but…
Fire is the most tolerable third party. - View Quote Details on Fire is the most tolerable third party.
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…
Every poet has trembled on the verge of science. - View Quote Details on Every poet has trembled on the verge of science.
I heartily accept the motto, “That government is best which governs least”; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe — “That government is best which governs not at all”; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have. - View Quote Details on I heartily accept the motto, “That government is best which…
He would have left a Greek accent slanting the wrong way, and righted up a falling man. - View Quote Details on He would have left a Greek accent slanting the wrong…