The youth gets together his materials to build a bridge to the moon, or, perchance, a palace or temple on the earth, and, at length, the middle-aged man concludes to build a woodshed with them.

More quotes by Henry David Thoreau

View all
"What I began by reading, I must finish by acting."

- Henry David Thoreau

Courage

"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."

- Henry David Thoreau

Success

"The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked me what I thought and attended to my answer."

- Henry David Thoreau

Respect

"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."

- Henry David Thoreau

Mindfulness

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

- Henry David Thoreau

Ambition

More Philosophy Quotes

View all
"It is at the moment of death that humanity has value."

- Archer

Philosophy

"Religion, ideology, resources, land, spite, love or just because… No matter how pathetic the reason, it’s enough to start a war. War will never cease to exist… reasons can be thought up after the fact… Human nature pursues strife."

- Paine

Philosophy

"Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves."

- Eric Sevareid

Philosophy

"Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

- Theodor Seuss Geisel

Philosophy

"Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home."

- G.K. Chesterton

Philosophy