Henry David Thoreau Quotes About Constitution

• As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution.

  Henry David Thoreau

  Life, Success, Agreement

  'Walden' (1854) 'Economy'

• Nature and human life are as various as our several constitutions. Who shall say what prospect life offers to another?

  Henry David Thoreau

  Nature, Literature, Constitution

  Henry David Thoreau (1995). “Walden, Or, Life in the Woods”, p.6, Courier Corporation

• Many, no doubt, are well disposed, but sluggish by constitution and habit, and they cannot conceive of a man who is actuated by higher motives than they are. Accordingly they pronounce this man insane, for they know that they could never act as he does, as long as they are themselves.

  Henry David Thoreau

  Men, Long, Doubt

  Henry David Thoreau (2014). “Citizen Thoreau: Walden, Civil Disobedience, Life Without Principle, Slavery in Massachusetts, A Plea for Captain John Brown”, p.244, Graphic Arts Books

• At present the globe goes with a shattered constitution in its orbit.... No doubt the simple powers of nature, properly directed by man, would make it healthy and a paradise; as the laws of man's own constitution but wait to be obeyed, to restore him to health and happiness.

  Henry David Thoreau

  Health, Simple, Men

  Henry David Thoreau (2013). “The Selected Essays of Henry David Thoreau”, p.28, Simon and Schuster

• Seen from a lower point of view, the Constitution, with all its faults, is very good; the law and the courts are very respectable;even this State and this American government are, in many respects, very admirable, and rare things, to be thankful for, such as a great many have described them; but seen from a point of view a little higher, they are what I have described them; seen from a higher still, and the highest, who shall say what they are, or that they are worth looking at or thinking of at all?

  Henry David Thoreau

  Thinking, Law, Government

  Henry David Thoreau (2004). “Walden and Other Writings”, p.108, Bantam Classics

• Friendship is the unspeakable joy and blessing that result to two or more individuals who from constitution sympathize. Such natures are liable to no mistakes, but will know each other through thick and thin. Between two by nature alike and fitted to sympathize, there is no veil, and there can be no obstacle. Who are the estranged? Two friends explaining.

  Henry David Thoreau

  Friendship, Mistake, Blessing

  Henry David Thoreau (1973). “Winter: From the Journal of Henry David Thoreau”

• We are not a religious people, but we are a nation of politicians. We do not care for the Bible, but we do care for the newspaper.At any meeting of politicianshow impertinent it would be to quote from the Bible! how pertinent to quote from a newspaper or from the Constitution!

  Henry David Thoreau

  Religious, People, Religion

• Will mankind never learn that policy is not morality,--that it never secures any moral right, but considers merely what is expedient? chooses the available candidate,--who is invariably the devil,--and what right have his constituents to be surprised, because the devil does not behave like an angel of light? What is wanted is men, not of policy, but of probity,--who recognize a higher law than the Constitution, or the decision of the majority.

  Henry David Thoreau

  Angel, Men, Light

  Henry David Thoreau (2000). “Walden and Other Writings: (A Modern Library E-Book)”, p.718, Modern Library

• It is not every man who can be a Christian, even in a very moderate sense, whatever education you give him. It is a matter of constitution and temperament, after all. He may have to be born again many times. I have known many a man who pretended to be a Christian, in whom it was ridiculous, for he had no genius for it. It is not every man who can be a free man, even.

  Henry David Thoreau

  Christian, Freedom, Men

  Henry David Thoreau (2013). “The Selected Essays of Henry David Thoreau”, p.152, Simon and Schuster

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