Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Thinking with Thoreau

     Welcome back to Quote Corner! Sarah here, and today, as promised, we are going to be talking about my favorite nature-loving Transcendentalist, Henry David Thoreau! Talking about dual-lives last week got me thinking about the side of me that wants to build a little cabin in the woods by a lake and grow a bean farm. If you feel the same, you need to check out Thoreau’s book, Walden, where he did just that. Thoreau said:

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms... (271).

            This quote is so significant to me, because it makes me realize how important it is to not get stuck on autopilot. I know some of you feel the same! I, too, want to live life deliberately and to the fullest! And now, for my question! I’m pretty sure everyone by now has a Bucket List. What is something on your Bucket List that, if completed, would make you feel truly alive! For me, I have always wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail (in segments). Stop by Quote Corner every Wednesday for new, inspirational quotes! Thanks for stopping by!

Cramer, S. Jeffery. The Portable Thoreau. Penguin Books, 2012.

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Thinking with Thoreau

       Welcome back to Quote Corner! Sarah here, and today, as promised, we are going to be talking about my favorite nature-loving Transcen...