It is remarkable that among all the preachers there are…

It is remarkable that among all the preachers there are so few moral teachers. The prophets are employed in excusing the ways of men.

Sourced, Life Without Principle
(1863)

Other Henry David Thoreau Quotes

Go where we will on the surface of things, men have been there before us. - View Quote Details on Go where we will on the surface of things, men…
If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life. - View Quote Details on If I knew for a certainty that a man was…
Have you learned the alphabet of heaven and can count three? Do you know the number of God’s family? Can you put mysteries into words? Do you presume to fable of the ineffable? Pray, what geographer are you, that speak of heaven’s topography? Whose friend are you that speak of God’s personality?… Tell me of the height of the mountains of the moon, or of the diameter of space, and I may believe you, but of the secret history of the Almighty, and I shall pronounce thee mad. - View Quote Details on Have you learned the alphabet of heaven and can count…
We are as much as we see. Faith is sight and knowledge. The hands only serve the eyes. - View Quote Details on We are as much as we see. Faith is sight…
The perception of beauty is a moral test. - View Quote Details on The perception of beauty is a moral test.
There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root, and it may be that he who bestows the largest amount of time and money on the needy is doing the most by his mode of life to produce that misery which he strives in vain to relieve. - View Quote Details on There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil…
It is true, I never assisted the sun materially in his rising; but, doubt not, it was of the last importance only to be present at it. 1 - View Quote Details on It is true, I never assisted the sun materially in…
Man flows at once to God when the channel of purity is open. - View Quote Details on Man flows at once to God when the channel of…
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. - View Quote Details on Friends — They are like air bubbles on water, hastening…
Where there is a lull of truth, an institution springs up. But the truth blows right on over it, nevertheless, and at length blows it down. - View Quote Details on Where there is a lull of truth, an institution springs…