The savage in man is never quite eradicated.

Sourced, Journals (1838-1859)

September 26, 1859

Other Henry David Thoreau Quotes

This world is but canvas to our imaginations. - View Quote Details on This world is but canvas to our imaginations.
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…
Every poet has trembled on the verge of science. - View Quote Details on Every poet has trembled on the verge of science.
The finest manners in the world are awkwardness and fatuity, when contrasted with a finer intelligence. - View Quote Details on The finest manners in the world are awkwardness and fatuity,…
But now I see I was not plucked for naught,
And after in life’s vase
Of glass set while I might survive,
But by a kind hand brought
Alive
To a strange place. - View Quote Details on But now I see I was not plucked for naught,
And…
My life is like a stroll upon the beach,
As near the ocean’s edge as I can go. - View Quote Details on My life is like a stroll upon the beach,
As…
Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once? - View Quote Details on Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them,…
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…
I think his fancy for referring everything to the meridian of Concord did not grow out of any ignorance or depreciation of other longitudes or latitudes, but was rather a playful expression of his conviction of the indifferency of all places, and that the best place for each is where he stands. He expressed it once in this wise: — “I think nothing is to be hoped from you, if this bit of mould under your feet is not sweeter to you to eat than any other in this world, or in any world.” - View Quote Details on I think his fancy for referring everything to the meridian…
I am a parcel of vain strivings tied
By a chance bond together,
Dangling this way and that, their links
Were made so loose and wide,
Methinks,
For milder weather. - View Quote Details on I am a parcel of vain strivings tied
By a chance…