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Effluo Goal Planning Framework

Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau information

Biography

  • Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817 in Concord Massachusetts
  • He was a philosopher, writer, transcendentalist, abolitionist, activist, and naturalist.
  • He is renowned for his most famous works, ‘Walden’ and ‘Civil Disobedience’, which explore themes of simplicity, conservation, spirituality and social reform.
  • He formed a school with his brother John to make education accessible to children regardless of race or financial status.
  • His exploration of literature in the late 1830s and early 1840s inspired him to write passionately about industrialism and urban society’s corrupting influence on traditional moral values.
  • For two years he secluded himself at Walden Pond to reflect on nature and other philosophically-informed topics.
  • Thoreau famously refused to pay taxes that supported slavery or government aggression against Native Americans.
  • Was a contemporary and good friend of Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Henry David Thoreau Quotes

Nature is as well adapted to our weakness as to our strength. - Henry David Thoreau
It is never too late to give up our prejudices. - Henry David Thoreau
As if you could kill time without injuring eternity. - Henry David Thoreau
An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day. - Henry David Thoreau
A simple and independent mind does not toil at the bidding of any prince. - Henry David Thoreau

Notable Works

Walden -1854 can be considered as the ‘first blog’ written on his experience in living in the woods by Walden Pond for two years. It is a testament to anti-materialism, conscious living and independence in thought.

Civil Disobedience – 1849 – a vigorous advocacy for civil liberties, became especially relevant and referenced during the American civil rights movement.

Impact on History

  • Thoreau established a tradition of nature writing later developed by John Muir and John Burroughs
  • He was an active and dedicated abolitionist helping people flee slaverty on the Underground Railroad during his time, and helping fuel the movement after his dead through his work in Civil Disobedience
  • His work continues to have an impact today through its inspirational messages on conscious living and anti-materialism.

Blog Posts

Henry David Thoreau Quotes List

Affirmations

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.  But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.
Henry David Thoreau

Visualization Board

Physical Health / Body

An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Henry David Thoreau

Financial / Professional 

I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes. If there is not a new man, how can the new clothes be made to fit?
Henry David Thoreau
But lo! men have become the tools of their tools.
Henry David Thoreau

Intellectual / Hobbies 

It is never too late to give up our prejudices. No way of thinking or doing, however ancient, can be trusted without proof.
Henry David Thoreau

Family / Relationships

The finest qualities of our nature, like the bloom on fruits, can be preserved only by the most delicate handling. Yet we do not treat ourselves nor one another thus tenderly.
Henry David Thoreau

Social / Environmental

Nature is as well adapted to our weakness as to our strength.
Henry David Thoreau
Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.
Henry David Thoreau
Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.
Henry David Thoreau
I had three pieces of limestone on my desk, but I was terrified to find that they required to be dusted daily, when the furniture of my mind was all undusted still, and threw them out the window in disgust. How, then, could I have a furnished house? I would rather sit in the open air, for no dust gathers on the grass, unless where man has broken ground.
Henry David Thoreau

Daily Goals

As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.
Henry David Thoreau