Henry David Thoreau said this quote

“ As with our colleges, so with a hundred ‘modern improvements;’ there is an illusion about them; there is not always a positive advance. The devil goes on exacting compound interest to the last for his early share and numerous succeeding investments in them. Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which it was already but too easy to arrive at... ”

Famous Quotes of Henry David Thoreau

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The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things..

~ Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau Life Self Actualization Unrealized Potential

I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours..

~ Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau Confidence Dreams Inspirational Life

The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.

~ Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau Cost Life Price Time Value

It is not worth the while to let our imperfections disturb us always.

~ Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau Inspirational Life Self Acceptance