34 Inspiring Henry David Thoreau Quotes

Henry David Thoreau was an American philosopher, poet and essayist, his mentor was Ralph Waldo Emerson. His quotes are powerful, they inspire you to take action on your dreams and be the best that you can be. May these quotes inspire within you the hope that you can live the life of your dreams.

“The world is but a canvas for our imagination.” Henry David Thoreau

“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” Henry David Thoreau

“Our life is frittered away by detail…simplify, simplify.” Henry David Thoreau

“Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him who does it for love of it.” Henry David Thoreau

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” Henry David Thoreau

“Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth.” Henry David Thoreau

“Not all who wander are lost.” Henry David Thoreau

“Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn you attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.” Henry David Thoreau

“Things do not change; we change.” Henry David Thoreau

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau

“Most of the luxuries and many so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.” Henry David Thoreau

“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of a man to elevate his life by conscious endeavour.” Henry David Thoreau

“What is once well done is done forever.” Henry David Thoreau

“Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” Henry David Thoreau

“Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.” Henry David Thoreau

“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.” Henry David Thoreau

“All good things are wild and free.” Henry David Thoreau

“Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.” Henry David Thoreau

“Dreams are the touchstones of our character.” Henry David Thoreau

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” Henry David Thoreau

“When it comes time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived.” Henry David Thoreau

“Be yourself, not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” Henry David Thoreau

“Life isn’t about finding yourself; it’s about creating yourself. So live the life you imagined.” Henry David Thoreau

“If we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment.” Henry David Thoreau

“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” Henry David Thoreau

“I make myself rich by making my wants few.” Henry David Thoreau

“There is no remedy for love, but to love more.” Henry David Thoreau

“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 he hears, however measured or far away.” Henry David Thoreau

“For an impenetrable shield, stand inside yourself.” Henry David Thoreau

“Every man is the builder of a temple called his body.” Henry David Thoreau

“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” Henry David Thoreau

“To be awake is to be alive.” Henry David Thoreau

“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” Henry David Thoreau

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you have imagined.” Henry David Thoreau