3.20.2007

Thoreau's Journal: 20-Mar-1841

Even the wisest and best are apt to use their lives as the occasion to do something else in than to live greatly. But we should hang as fondly over this work as the finishing and embellishment of a poem.

It is a great relief when for a few moments in the day we can retire to our chamber and be completely true to ourselves. It leavens the rest of our hours. In that moment I will be nakedly as vicious as I am; this false life of mine shall have a being at length.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wish I had times where I could just be true to myself. I think it would help my day greatly.

Anonymous said...

Metafilter linked to this, I thought people would like to see it-- Thoreau's cabin in a downloadable paper-cutout model:
http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/buildings/new-england/thoreau/cabin.htm