"Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good be good for something."

Action

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Insight & Reflection

The theme of action is universal, yet Henry David Thoreau manages to capture its essence in a uniquely profound way. Taking a moment to internalize this can shift our mindset, reminding us that our perspective on action often shapes our reality.

About Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau was an American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher. A leading transcendentalist, he is best known for his book Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay "Civil Disobedience", an argument in favor of citizen disobedience against an unjust state.

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Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the Quotes Archive Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by Henry David Thoreau

"It is a subtle truth that the distance between ambition and reality is bridged solely by consistent effort — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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"Do not wait for favorable winds; take the oars and row toward your horizon. Such is the immutable nature of understanding — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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"Kids are meant to believe that their stepping stone to massive money is 'The X Factor.' Luck is great, but most of life is hard work. We do not celebrate people who have made success out of serious hard work."

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"He who would do good to another must do it in Minute Particulars: general Good is the plea of the scoundrel, hypocrite, and flatterer, for Art and Science cannot exist but in minutely organized Particulars."

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