Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), an American writer and philosopher, is a representative of Transcendentalism, and his representative work is the long prose "Walden", which is a classic work of Transcendentalism.
Here are 10 classic quotes from Thoreau:
1. Life has no value unless you choose and give it value. There is no place for happiness unless you bring happiness to yourself.
Thoreau believed that the value of life is not fixed, but depends on how we see and spend it. In the same way, happiness is not a static state, it needs to be created and pursued by ourselves. This means that we cannot rely on external factors or the meaning or happiness that others have given us in our lives, but rather need to achieve it through our own choices and efforts.
2. Most of the time, I feel that loneliness is good for my health. With a companion, even the best companion will soon get tired and make a bad mess.
Thoreau believed that loneliness is good for health because it can help us to better introspect and reflect, improve self-awareness and spiritual growth. Although humans are social creatures, too much socialization and companionship can lead to exhaustion and dissatisfaction, as time can cause even the best of companions to disagree and contradict our opinions and interests.
3. Nitpickers can find flaws even in heaven. A person with peace of mind can live a happy life anywhere, with an uplifting and optimistic mind, as if living in a palace.
In Thoreau's view, nitpickers can find faults even in heaven because they are always critical and dissatisfied with life. On the contrary, a person with peace of mind can live a happy life wherever he is, and they are calm and optimistic, as if they were living in a royal palace. This is because they are able to accept the imperfections of life and know how to appreciate the good in life, rather than blindly complaining and demanding.
4. Time determines who you will meet in life, your heart determines who you want to be in your life, and your actions determine who will stay in the end.
Thoreau believed that we meet a variety of people along the way through life, and that the appearance and departure of these people are often determined by time. While we can't change the passage of time, we can decide who we want to be in our lives by adjusting our state of mind. However, wanting someone to stay in one's life is not just a desire, it requires an act of dedication. A person's actions ultimately determine who will ultimately remain in our lives.
5. The more many things a person can let go, the richer he becomes.
In Thoreau's view, true wealth is not limited to the accumulation of material wealth, but also to the abundance and freedom of the mind. When a person is able to let go of many unnecessary things, such as excessive desires, unnecessary worries, and vanity, he can focus more on the things that are really important in life and enjoy a simple and pure life. This state of mind leads to greater calmness, contentment, and strength, which leads to greater spiritual wealth.
6. Spending the most precious part of one's life to earn money, in order to enjoy a little dubious freedom in the least precious part of one's time.
Thoreau believed that it was an act that the most precious time of a person's life was spent on making money, only to enjoy some seemingly free time in the least precious time. People often sacrifice their freedom and peace of mind in the pursuit of material possessions. While people may gain some material comforts by making money, these pleasures do not lead to true happiness and satisfaction.
7. Healing the pain of love is like sawing off a sick hand, and although the pain can be alleviated, it also loses a hand.
According to Thoreau, love is a natural emotion, but when it becomes painful, we tend to try to escape or eliminate it in various ways. However, this way often causes us to lose more, not only the joy of love, but also the loss of self and inner peace. In the face of the pain of love, it is necessary to feel and experience it with your heart, not to avoid or eliminate it.
8. Excess wealth can only be exchanged for the life of the extravagant, and the necessities of the soul need not be purchased with money.
In Thoreau's eyes, too much wealth can only lead to a luxurious life for those who seek material comforts, but it is not necessary for those who are truly seeking inner fulfillment. The true needs of the heart are things that money can't buy, such as knowledge, wisdom, love, and inner peace. These qualities can only be acquired through personal struggle and growth.
9. The true meaning of travel is not to exercise, but to drive your soul to find the spring of life.
According to Thoreau, the true meaning of travel lies not in the movement of the body, but in the touch of the soul and the sublimation of life. Travel is a process of experience and perception, and through exposure to different cultures and nature, we can expand our horizons, enrich our hearts, and allow our souls to be nourished and grown. And this growth is not a short-term joy and stimulation, but a long-term, inner change.
10. We may not be able to reach the destination port at an agreed time, but we can always walk on a real route.
According to Thoreau, life is not a race, and there is no need to pursue momentary success or achieve preset goals. Instead, we should enjoy the process of the journey, cherish every moment, and keep exploring and discovering. As long as we stick to the right route and keep moving forward, we will eventually reach our destination in our hearts.