Quotes from Henry David Thoreau

When you knock, ask to see God — none of the servants.

My profession is to be always on the alert to find God in nature, to know his lurking-places, to attend all the oratorios, the operas in nature.

I make my own time. I make my own terms. I cannot see how God or Nature can ever get the start of me.

Whatever we leave to God, God does and blesses us.

It's only by forgetting yourself that you draw near to God.

Furniture! Thank God, I can sit and I can stand without the aid of a furniture warehouse.

God reigns when we take a liberal view, when a liberal view is presented to us.

God is only the president of the day, and Webster is his orator.

God is alone,-but the devil, he is far from being alone; he sees a great deal of company; he is legion.

Our hymn-books resound with a melodious cursing of God and enduring Him forever.

Bribed with a little sunlight and a few prismatic tints, we bless our Maker, and stave off his wrath with hymns.

When you travel to the Celestial City, carry no letter of introduction. When you knock, ask to see God,--none of the servants.

It is not when I am going to meet him, but when I am just turning away and leaving him alone, that I discover what God is. I say, God. I am not sure that that is the name. You will know what I mean.

Blessed are they who never read a newspaper, for they shall see Nature, and through her, God.

Nothing is so much to be feared as fear. Atheism may comparatively be popular with God himself.

Great God, I ask thee for no meaner pelf Than that I may not disappoint myself, That in my action I may soar as high As I can now discern with this clear eye.

A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting.

The inhabitants of the Cape generally do not complain of their "soil," but will tell you that it is good enough for them to dry their fish on.

One piece of good sense would be more memorable than a monument as high as the moon.

The bad are frequently good enough to let you see how bad they are, but the good as frequently endeavor to get between you and themselves.

Begin where you are and such as you are, without aiming mainly to become of more worth, and with kindness aforethought, go about doing good.

All good things are cheap: all bad are very dear.

Whatever is, and is not ashamed to be, is good.

It is not so important that many should be good as you, as that there be some absolute goodness somewhere; for that will leaven the whole lump.