Solitude
Solitude
Solitude
Solitude
Solitude
n
Note: The title “Solitude” is inserted
at the top of the leaf containing Solitude 1. (R. Clapper)
This is a delicious evening, when the whole body
seems to be
seems to be
is
is
is
is
is
is
one sense, and imbibes delight through every pore. I go and come with a
strange liberty in Nature, a part of herself. As I walk along the
stony shore of the pond
stony shore of the pond
stony shore of the pond
stony shore of the
pond in my shirt-sleeves
stony shore of the pond in my shirt sleeves,
stony shore of the pond in my shirt sleeves,
stony shore of the pond in my shirt sleeves,
stony shore of the pond in my shirt sleeves,
though it is cool
as well as
and also
as well as
and also
as well as
as well as
as well as
as well as
as well as
as well as
cloudy and windy, and I see
no peculiarity, which I can describe
nothing in particular to attract me,
no peculiarity, which I can describe
nothing in particular to attract me,
no peculiarity, which I can describe
nothing in particular to attract me,
nothing in particular
special to attract me,
nothing special to attract me,
nothing special to attract me,
nothing special to attract me,
nothing special to attract me,
yet all things are very
all the elements are unspeakably congenial to me.
Again the frogs peep
trump to celebrate the sacred hours of the night,
and the whippoorwill sings in
the note of the whippoorwill is borne on the
rippling wind from over the water.
yet all things are very
all the elements are unspeakably congenial to me.
Again the frogs peep
trump to celebrate the sacred hours of the night,
and the whippoorwill sings in
the note of the whippoorwill is borne on the
rippling wind from over the water.
all the elements are unusually congenial to me. The bullfrogs
trump to usher in the night, and the note of the whippoorwill is borne on the
rippling wind from over the water.
all the elements are unusually congenial to me. The bullfrogs
trump to usher in the night, and the note of the whippoorwill is borne on the
rippling wind from over the water.
all the elements are unusually congenial to me. The bullfrogs
trump to usher in the night, and the note of the whippoorwill is borne on the
rippling wind from over the water.
all the elements are unusually congenial to me. The bullfrogs
trump to usher in the night, and the note of the whippoorwill is borne on the
rippling wind from over the water.
all the elements are unusually congenial to me. The bullfrogs
trump to usher in the night, and the note of the whippoorwill is borne on the
rippling wind from over the water.
all the elements are unusually congenial to me. The bullfrogs
trump to usher in the night, and the note of the whippoorwill is borne on the
rippling wind from over the water.
My breath is in
Sympathy with
My breath is in
Sympathy with
My breath is in
Sympathy with
My breath is in
Sympathy with
Sympathy with
Sympathy with
Sympathy with
Sympathy with
the fluttering alder and poplar leaves almost takes away my breath; yet, like
the lake, my
thoughts are
serenity is
thoughts are
serenity is
thoughts are
serenity is
thoughts are
serenity is
serenity is
serenity is
serenity is
serenity is
rippled but not ruffled. These small waves raised by the evening wind are as
far
remote
far
remote
far
remote
far
remote
remote
remote
remote
remote
from storm as the smooth reflecting surface. Though it is now
night, the waves still dash
dark, the wind still blows and roars in the wood,
the waves still dash,
night, the waves still dash
dark, the wind still blows and roars in the wood,
the waves still dash,
dark, the wind still blows and roars in the wood, the waves
still dash,
dark, the wind still blows and roars in the wood, the waves
still dash,
dark, the wind still blows and roars in the wood, the waves
still dash,
dark, the wind still blows and roars in the wood, the waves
still dash,
dark, the wind still blows and roars in the wood, the waves
still dash,
dark, the wind still blows and roars in the wood, the waves
still dash,
and some creatures lull the rest with their notes. The repose is never
complete. The wildest animals
seem not to
do not repose and
but
seem not to
do not repose and
but
do not repose, but
do not repose, but
do not repose, but
do not repose, but
do not repose, but
do not repose, but
seek their prey now; the fox, and skunk, and rabbit,
now
now
now
now
now
now
roam the fields and woods without fear.
We associate wildness with the night—and silence—But the repose is never
complete; nature has her watchmen who are links connecting the days of
animated life.
Nature has her
These are Nature’s watchmen who are
or the links connecting the days of animated
life.
Nature has her
These are Nature’s watchmen who are
or the links connecting the days of animated
life.
They are Nature’s watchmen,—links which connect the
days of animated life.
They are Nature's watchmen,—links which connect the days of
animated life.
They are Nature's watchmen,—links which connect the days of
animated life.
They are Nature's watchmen,—links which connect the days of
animated life.
They are Nature's watchmen,—links which connect the days of
animated life.
When I return to my house I find that visitors have been
here
there
there
there
there
there
there
there
and left their cards, either a bunch of
violets or houstonias or wintergreen or pyrus if it be spring,
flowers, or a wreath of evergreen,
flowers, or a wreath of evergreen,
flowers, or a wreath of evergreen,
flowers, or a wreath of evergreen,
flowers, or a wreath of evergreen,
flowers, or a wreath of evergreen,
or a name in pencil on a yellow walnut leaf or a chip.
if it be fall. For those
if it be fall. For those
Those
They
They
They
They
who come rarely to the woods
will commonly take
will commonly take
commonly take
take
take
take
take
some little piece of the forest into their hands to play with by the way,
which they leave,
either
either
either
either
either
either
either
intentionally or accidentally. One has peeled a willow wand,
and woven
and woven
and woven
woven
woven
woven
woven
it into a ring, and dropped it on my table. I could always tell if visitors
had called in my absence, either by the bended twigs or grass, or the print of their
shoes, and generally of what sex or age
or quality
or quality
or quality
or quality
or quality
or quality
they were by some slight trace left, as a flower dropped, or a bunch of grass
plucked and thrown away, even as far off as the railroad, half a mile distant, or
by
the lingering odor of a cigar or pipe.
Nay, I was frequently
notified of the passage of a traveller along the highway sixty rods off by the scent
of his
pipe. Indeed my senses were as acute as Indians’
in this respect, and I saw how his habit of observation was cultivated.
pipe.
pipe.
pipe.
pipe.
pipe.
pipe.
There
seems always to be
seems always to be
is commonly
is commonly
is commonly
is commonly
is commonly
is commonly
is commonly
sufficient space about us. Our horizon is never quite at our elbows. The
thick
thick
thick
thick
thick
thick
thick
thick
wood is not just at
my
my
our
our
our
our
our
our
door, nor the pond, but somewhat is always clearing,
& familiar & worn by us appropriated and fenced in some way
& familiar & worn by us,
familiar and worn by us, appropriated and fenced in some
way,
familiar and worn by us, appropriated and fenced in some
way,
familiar and worn by us, appropriated and fenced in some
way,
familiar and worn by us, appropriated and fenced in some
way,
familiar and worn by us, appropriated and fenced in some
way,
familiar and worn by us, appropriated and fenced in some
way,
familiar and worn by us, appropriated and fenced in some
way,
and reclaimed from Nature. For what reason have I this vast range and circuit,
in nature—a square mile and more
in nature, square mile and more
some square miles
some square miles
some square miles
some square miles
some square miles
some square miles
some square miles
of unfrequented forest, for my privacy, abandoned to me by men?
Surely we do not live crowded. My nearest neighbor is more
than
My nearest neighbor is more than
My nearest neighbor is
My nearest neighbor is
My nearest neighbor is
My nearest neighbor is
My nearest neighbor is
My nearest neighbor is
a mile distant, and no house is visible from
any place but the hill-tops
any place but the hill-tops
any place but the hill-tops
any place but the hill-tops
any place but the hill-tops
any place but the hill-tops
any place but the hill-tops
any place but the hill-tops
within half a mile of my own. I have my horizon bounded by woods all to
myself;
I have a
I have a
a
a
a
a
a
a
distant view of the railroad where it touches the pond on the one hand, and of
the fence which skirts the woodland road on the other. But for the most part it is
as
solitary where I live as on the prairies. It is as much Asia or Africa as New England.
I have, as it were, my own sun and moon and stars, and a little world all to myself.
At night there was never a traveller passed my house, or knocked at my door, more
than
if I were the first or last man; unless it were in the spring,
when some came occasionally
when some came occasionally
when at long intervals some came
when at long intervals some came
when at long intervals some came
when at long intervals some came
when at long intervals some came
when at long intervals some came
from the village to fish for
pouts in the pond, and,
pouts in the pond, and,
pouts,
pouts,
pouts,
pouts,
pouts,
pouts,
—they plainly fished much more in the Walden Pond of their own natures, and baited
their hooks with darkness,—but they soon retreated, usually with light baskets, and
left “the
vale to solitude &
vale to solitude and
world to darkness and to
world to darkness and to
world to darkness and to
world to darkness and to
world to darkness and to
world to darkness and to
world to darkness and to
me,” and the
me,” and the
me,” and the
me,” and the
me,” and the
me,” and the
me,” and the
me,” and the
dark
dark
black
black
black
black
black
black
kernel of the night was never profaned by any human neighborhood. I believe
that men are generally still a little afraid of the dark, though the witches are
all
all
all
all
all
all
all
all
hung, and Christianity and candles
are
have been invented.
have been invented
introduced.
have been introduced.
have been introduced.
have been introduced.
have been introduced.
have been introduced.
have been introduced.
Yet I experienced
occasionally
occasionally
sometimes
sometimes
sometimes
sometimes
sometimes
sometimes
sometimes
that the most sweet and tender, the most innocent and encouraging society may
be found in
every
any
any
any
any
any
any
any
natural object, even for the poor misanthrope and most melancholy man. There
can be no very black melancholy to him who lives in the midst of Nature and has his
senses to him still. There was never yet a storm but it was Æeolian music to a
healthy and innocent ear. Nothing can rightly compel a simple and brave
man to a vulgar sadness. While I enjoy the friendship of the seasons I trust that
nothing can make life a burden to me. The gentle rain which waters my beans and keeps
me in the house to-day is not drear and melancholy, but good for me too. Though it
prevents my hoeing them, it is of far more worth than my hoeing.
If it should continue so long as to cause the seeds to
rot in the ground and destroy the potatoes in the low lands it would still
be good for the grass on the uplands, though the farmers say it is not
so sweet xxxxx xxx
& being good for the grass it will be good for me
If it should continue so long as to cause the seeds to rot in
the ground and destroy the potatoes in the low lands, it would still be good
for the grass on the uplands, and, being good for the grass, it would be good
for me.
If it should continue so long as to cause the seeds to rot in
the ground and destroy the potatoes in the low lands, it would still be good
for the grass on the uplands, and, being good for the grass, it would be good
for me.
If it should continue so long as to cause the seeds to rot in
the ground and destroy the potatoes in the low lands, it would still be good
for the grass on the uplands, and, being good for the grass, it would be good
for me.
If it should continue so long as to cause the seeds to rot in
the ground and destroy the potatoes in the low lands, it would still be good
for the grass on the uplands, and, being good for the grass, it would be good
for me.
If it should continue so long as to cause the seeds to rot in
the ground and destroy the potatoes in the low lands, it would still be good
for the grass on the uplands, and, being good for the grass, it would be good
for me.
If it should continue so long as to cause the seeds to rot in
the ground and destroy the potatoes in the low lands, it would still be good
for the grass on the uplands, and, being good for the grass, it would be good
for me.
If it should continue so long as to cause the seeds to rot in
the ground and destroy the potatoes in the low lands, it would still be good
for the grass on the uplands, and, being good for the grass, it would be good
for me.
Sometimes, when I compare myself with other men, it seems as if I were more
favored by the gods than they,
and beyond any deserts that
beyond any deserts that
beyond any deserts that
beyond any deserts that
beyond any deserts that
beyond any deserts that
beyond any deserts that
beyond any deserts that
I am conscious of; as if I had a warrant and surety at their hands which my
fellows have not, and were especially guided and guarded.
I do not flatter myself, but if it be possible, they flatter me. So
perchance it appears to each of us
They are unaccountably kind to me
Notwithstanding a sense of unworthiness which possesses me, for the
most part the spirit of the universe seems unaccountably kind to me,
& I seem to enjoy an unusual share of
happiness. Yet I think that there may be a settlement to come.
I do not flatter myself, but if it be possible they flatter
me.
I do not flatter myself, but if it be possible they flatter
me.
I do not flatter myself, but if it be possible they flatter
me.
I do not flatter myself, but if it be possible they flatter
me.
I do not flatter myself, but if it be possible they flatter
me.
I do not flatter myself, but if it be possible they flatter
me.
I do not flatter myself, but if it be possible they flatter
me.
I have never felt
lonely
lonesome
lonesome,
lonesome,
lonesome,
lonesome,
lonesome,
lonesome,
lonesome,
or in the least oppressed by a sense of solitude, but once, and that was a few
weeks after I
went to the pond to live
woods
came to the woods,
came to the woods,
came to the woods,
came to the woods,
came to the woods,
came to the woods,
came to the woods,
when, for an hour, I doubted if the near neighborhood of man was not essential
to a serene and healthy life. To be alone was something unpleasant. But I was at the
same time conscious of a slight insanity in my mood, and seemed to foresee my
recovery. In the midst of a gentle rain while these thoughts prevailed,
there suddenly seemed
I was suddenly sensible of
I was suddenly sensible of
I was suddenly sensible of
I was suddenly sensible of
I was suddenly sensible of
I was suddenly sensible of
I was suddenly sensible of
such sweet and beneficent society in Nature, in the very pattering of the
drops, and in every sound and sight around my house, an infinite and unaccountable
friendliness all at once like an atmosphere sustaining me, as made the fancied
advantages of human neighborhood insignificant, and I have never thought of them
since. Every little pine needle expanded and swelled with sympathy and befriended
me.
I was so distinctly made aware of the presence of something kindred to me, even in
scenes which we are accustomed to call wild and dreary, and also that the nearest
of
blood to me and humanest was not a person nor a villager, that I thought no place
could ever be strange to me again.—
“Mourning untimely consumes the sad;
Few are their days in the land of the living,
Beautiful daughter of Toscar."
Some of my pleasantest hours were during the
long
rain
rain
rain
storms in the spring or fall, which confined me to the house for the
afternoon as well as the forenoon, soothed by their ceaseless roar and pelting;
then
then
when
when
an early twilight ushered in a long evening in which many thoughts had time
to take root and unfold themselves.
In those driving north-east
In those driving north-east
In those driving north-east
storms
storms
rains
rains
which tried the village houses so, when the maids
stood ready with mop and pail in front entries to keep the deluge out, I
sat behind
which tried the village houses so, when the maids stood
ready with mop and pail in front entries to keep the deluge out, I sat
behind
which tried the village houses so, when the maids stood
ready with mop and pail in front entries to keep the deluge out, I sat
behind
my
the
my
my
door in my little house, which was all entry, and
thoroughly enjoyed its protection. In one
door in my little house, which was all entry, and
thoroughly enjoyed its protection. In one
door in my little house, which was all entry, and
thoroughly enjoyed its protection. In one
very heavy
heavy
heavy
thunder shower the lightning struck a large pitch
pine across the pond, making a very conspicuous and perfectly regular
spiral groove from top to bottom, an inch or more deep, and four or five
inches wide, as
thunder shower the lightning struck a large pitch pine
across the pond, making a very conspicuous and perfectly regular spiral
groove from top to bottom, an inch or more deep, and four or five inches
wide, as
thunder shower the lightning struck a large pitch pine
across the pond, making a very conspicuous and perfectly regular spiral
groove from top to bottom, an inch or more deep, and four or five inches
wide, as
one
one
you
you
would groove a
would groove a
would groove a
walking-stick.
walking-stick, going round the tree
three times and descending faster as the trunk grew larger yet the
tree
it did not appear to have suffered
essentially.
walking-stick.
I passed it
lately and was somewhat awestruck
again the other day & was struck with awe
again the other day, and was struck with awe
on looking up and beholding that
broad & regular groove
mark now
mark, now
more distinct than ever,
mark where
where
a terrific and resistless bolt came down out of the harmless sky eight
years
agoand I felt that we had not learned
much since the days of Tullus Hostilius. It saved the earth from
trivialness. The woodpeckers have at length begun to bore its one
side.
ago.
Men
generally
frequently
generally
frequently
generally
frequently
generally
frequently
generally
frequently
frequently
frequently
say to me, “I should think you would feel
lonely
lonesome down there. I should think you
would
& want to be nearer to folks, rainy and
snow
snowy days and nights especially.”
But
I am tempted to reply to such,
lonesome down there, and want to be nearer to folks, rainy
and snowy days and nights especially.” I am tempted to reply to such,
lonesome down there, and want to be nearer to folks, rainy
and snowy days and nights especially.” I am tempted to reply to such,
lonesome down there, and want to be nearer to folks, rainy
and snowy days and nights especially.” I am tempted to reply to such,
lonesome down there, and want to be nearer to folks, rainy
and snowy days and nights especially.” I am tempted to reply to such,
lonesome down there, and want to be nearer to folks, rainy
and snowy days and nights especially.” I am tempted to reply to such,
lonesome down there, and want to be nearer to folks, rainy
and snowy days and nights especially.” I am tempted to reply to such,
—This whole earth which we inhabit is but a point in space. How far apart,
think you, dwell the two most distant inhabitants of yonder star, the breadth of
whose disk cannot be appreciated by our instruments? Why should I feel lonely? is
not our planet in the Milky Way? This which you put seems to me not to be the most
important question. What sort of space is that which separates a man from his
fellows and makes him solitary? I have found that no exertion
on the part of
of
of
of
of
of
of
the legs can bring two minds much nearer to one another.
What after all
What
What
What
What
What
What
do we want most to dwell near to? Not to many men
merely
surely —the depot—or the post office—or the
bar-room—or the meeting house or the school house,
or the grocery—or
surely, the depot, the post-office, the bar-room, the
meeting-house, the school-house, the grocery,
surely, the depot, the post-office, the bar-room, the
meeting-house, the school-house, the grocery,
surely, the depot, the post-office, the bar-room, the
meeting-house, the school-house, the grocery,
surely, the depot, the post-office, the bar-room, the
meeting-house, the school-house, the grocery,
surely, the depot, the post-office, the bar-room, the
meeting-house, the school-house, the grocery,
surely, the depot, the post-office, the bar-room, the
meeting-house, the school-house, the grocery,
Beacon Hill, or the Five Points,
where men
are more numerous than anywhere—but, I should
say
are more numerous than anywhere—but, I should
say
are more numerous than anywhere—but, I should
say
are more numerous than anywhere—but, I should
say
are more numerous than anywhere else
most congregate but I should say
most congregate, but
most congregate, but
to the
perennial
perennial
perennial
perennial
perennial
perennial
perennial
source of our life, whence in all our experience we have found that to
issue; as the willow stands near the water and sends out its roots in that
direction. This will vary with different natures, but this is the place where a
wise man will dig his
cellar.
Yet Most men are not so wise as a tree, or rather are like
those trees which being badly located make only wood and leaves and bear
no fruit.
cellar.
cellar.
cellar.
cellar.
cellar.
cellar.
… I one evening overtook one of my townsmen, who has accumulated
what is called
what is called
what is called
what is called
what is called
what is called
what is called
“a handsome property”,
—though I never got a fair view of
it,—
—though I never got a fair
view of it,—
—though I never got a fair
view of it,—
—though I never got a fair
view of it,—
—though I never got a fair
view of it,—
—though I never got a fair
view of it,—
—though I never got a fair
view of it,—
on the Walden road, driving a pair of cattle to market, who inquired of me
how I could bring my mind to give up so many of the comforts of life. I answered
that I was very sure I liked it passably well; I was not joking. And so I went
home to my bed, and left him to pick his way through the darkness and the mud to
Brighton,
—some 15 miles distant,—
—or Bright-town,—
—or Bright-town,—
—or Bright-town,—
—or Bright-town,—
—or Bright-town,—
—or Bright-town,—
which place he would reach some time in the morning.
The life of the spirit
Any prospect of awakening or coming to life to a dead man
Any prospect of awakening or coming to life to a dead
man
Any prospect of awakening or coming to life to a dead
man
Any prospect of awakening or coming to life to a dead
man
Any prospect of awakening or coming to life to a dead
man
Any prospect of awakening or coming to life to a dead
man
Any prospect of awakening or coming to life to a dead
man
makes indifferent all times and places.
That place where it is seen
The place where that may occur
The place where that may occur
The place where that may occur
The place where that may occur
The place where that may occur
The place where that may occur
The place where that may occur
is always the same, and indescribably pleasant to all our senses.
We had allowed only neighboring
For the most part we allow only outlying
For the most part we allow only outlying
For the most part we allow only outlying
For the most part we allow only outlying
For the most part we allow only outlying
For the most part we allow only outlying
For the most part we allow only outlying
and transient circumstances to make our occasions. They are, in fact, the
causes
cause
cause
cause
cause
cause
cause
of our distraction. Nearest to all things is that power which fashions their
being.
Next
to us the grandest laws are continually
being executed.
Next
to us is not the workman whom we
have hired, with whom we love so well to talk, but the workman whose work we are.
“How vast and profound is the influence of the subtile powers of
Heaven and of Earth!”
“How vast and profound is the influence of the subtile powers of Heaven
and of Earth!”
“How vast and profound is the influence of the subtile powers of Heaven
and of Earth!”
“How vast and profound is the influence of the subtile powers of Heaven
and of Earth!”
“How vast and profound is the influence of the subtile powers of Heaven
and of Earth!”
“How vast and profound is the influence of the subtile powers of Heaven
and of Earth!”
“How vast and profound is the influence of the subtile powers of Heaven
and of Earth!”
“One seeks
“We seek
“We seek
“We seek
“We seek
“We seek
“We seek
to perceive them, and
to perceive them, and
to perceive them, and
to perceive them, and
to perceive them, and
to perceive them, and
to perceive them, and
one does
we do
we do
we do
we do
we do
we do
not see them;
not see them;
not see them;
not see them;
not see them;
not see them;
not see them;
one seeks
we seek
we seek
we seek
we seek
we seek
we seek
to hear them, and
to hear them, and
to hear them, and
to hear them, and
to hear them, and
to hear them, and
to hear them, and
one does
we do
we do
we do
we do
we do
we do
not hear them; identified with the substance of
things, they cannot be separated from them.”
not hear them; identified with the substance of things,
they cannot be separated from them.”
not hear them; identified with the substance of things,
they cannot be separated from them.”
not hear them; identified with the substance of things,
they cannot be separated from them.”
not hear them; identified with the substance of things,
they cannot be separated from them.”
not hear them; identified with the substance of things,
they cannot be separated from them.”
not hear them; identified with the substance of things,
they cannot be separated from them.”
“They cause that in all the universe men purify and
sanctify their hearts, and
“They cause that in all the universe men purify and
sanctify their hearts, and
“They cause that in all the universe men purify and
sanctify their hearts, and
“They cause that in all the universe men purify and
sanctify their hearts, and
“They cause that in all the universe men purify and
sanctify their hearts, and
“They cause that in all the universe men purify and
sanctify their hearts, and
“They cause that in all the universe men purify and
sanctify their hearts, and
put on their holiday clothes
clothe themselves in their holiday garments
clothe themselves in their holiday garments
clothe themselves in their holiday garments
clothe themselves in their holiday garments
clothe themselves in their holiday garments
clothe themselves in their holiday garments
clothe themselves in their holiday garments
to offer sacrifices and oblations to their
ancestors. It is an ocean of subtile intelligences. They are every where,
above us, on our left, on our right; they environ us on all sides.”
to offer sacrifices and oblations to their ancestors. It is
an ocean of subtile intelligences. They are every where, above us, on our
left, on our right; they environ us on all sides.”
to offer sacrifices and oblations to their ancestors. It is
an ocean of subtile intelligences. They are every where, above us, on our
left, on our right; they environ us on all sides.”
to offer sacrifices and oblations to their ancestors. It is
an ocean of subtile intelligences. They are every where, above us, on our
left, on our right; they environ us on all sides.”
to offer sacrifices and oblations to their ancestors. It is
an ocean of subtile intelligences. They are every where, above us, on our
left, on our right; they environ us on all sides.”
to offer sacrifices and oblations to their ancestors. It is
an ocean of subtile intelligences. They are every where, above us, on our
left, on our right; they environ us on all sides.”
to offer sacrifices and oblations to their ancestors. It is
an ocean of subtile intelligences. They are every where, above us, on our
left, on our right; they environ us on all sides.”
We are the subjects of an experiment
which I confess
which
which
which
which
which
which
is not a little interesting to me. Can we not
dispense with
do without
do without
do without
do without
do without
do without
the society of our gossips a little while under these circumstances,
—If you want society mind your business.
—have our own thoughts to cheer us?
—have our own thoughts to cheer us?
—have our own thoughts to cheer us?
—have our own thoughts to cheer us?
Confucius
Confucius
Confucius
Confucius
Confucius
Confucius
Confucius
says,
says truly,
says truly,
says truly,
says truly,
says truly,
says truly,
“Virtue does not remain as an abandoned orphan; it must of necessity
have neighbors.”
“Virtue does not remain as an abandoned orphan; it must of
necessity have neighbors.”
“Virtue does not remain as an abandoned orphan; it must of
necessity have neighbors.”
“Virtue does not remain as an abandoned orphan; it must of
necessity have neighbors.”
“Virtue does not remain as an abandoned orphan; it must of
necessity have neighbors.”
“Virtue does not remain as an abandoned orphan; it must of
necessity have neighbors.”
“Virtue does not remain as an abandoned orphan; it must of
necessity have neighbors.”
With thinking we may be beside
ourselves.
ourselves in a sane sense.
ourselves in a sane sense.
ourselves in a sane sense.
ourselves in a sane sense.
By a conscious effort of the mind we can stand aloof from actions and
the consequences of actions;
their consequences;
their consequences;
their consequences;
their consequences;
and all things,
both good
good
good
good
good
and bad, go by us like a torrent. We are not wholly involved in Nature. I may
be either the drift-wood in the stream, or Indra in the sky looking down on it.
A man
I
I
I
I
may
be affected by a theatrical exhibition; on the
other hand, I
may not
be affected by an actual event
which appears to concern
him never so much.
me much more.
me much more.
me much more.
me much more.
I only know myself as a human entity; the scene, so to speak, of thoughts and
affections; and am sensible of a certain doubleness by which I can stand as remote
from myself as from another. However intense my experience,
I am conscious of the presence and
criticism of a part of me, which, as it were, is not a part of me, but spectator,
sharing no experience, but taking note of it; and that is no more I than it is you.
When the play, it may be the tragedy, of life is over, the spectator goes his way.
It
was a kind of fiction, a work of the imagination only, so far as he was concerned.
This doubleness may easily make us poor neighbors and friends sometimes.
I find it
healthy
wholesome
wholesome
wholesome
wholesome
wholesome
wholesome
wholesome
wholesome
to be alone the
greatest
greater
greater
greater
greater
greater
greater
greater
part of the time. To be in company, even with the best, is soon wearisome
and dissipating. I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so
companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad
amongst folks
among men
among men
among men
among men
among men
among men
among men
than when we stay in our chambers. A man thinking or working is always
alone, let him be where he will.
Nor, on the other hand, is solitude
Solitude is not
Nor, on the other hand, is solitude
Solitude is not
Solitude is not
Solitude is not
Solitude is not
Solitude is not
Solitude is not
Solitude is not
measured by the miles of space that intervene between a man and his
fellows. The
really
really
really
really
really
really
really
really
diligent student in one of the crowded hives of
Cambridge College
a university
Cambridge College
Cambridge College
Cambridge College
Cambridge College
Cambridge College
Cambridge College
Cambridge College
is as solitary as a dervish in the desert.
The farmer can work alone in the field or the woods all day, hoeing or
chopping wood,
chopping,
chopping,
chopping,
chopping,
chopping,
chopping,
chopping,
and not feel lonesome, because he is employed; but when he comes home at
night he cannot sit down in a room alone, at the mercy of
his own
his
his
his
his
his
his
his
thoughts, but must be where he can “see the folks,” and recreate, and
as he thinks
as he thinks
as he thinks
as he thinks
as he thinks
as he thinks
as he thinks
as he thinks
remunerate
himself for his day’s solitude; and hence he wonders how the student can sit alone
in the house all night and most of the day without ennui and “the blues;” but he
does not realize that the student, though in the house, is still at work in
his
field, and chopping in
his
woods, as the farmer in his, and in
his turn
turn
turn
turn
turn
turn
turn
turn
seeks the same recreation and society that
he does.
the latter does, though it may be a more condensed form of
it.
the latter does, though it may be a more condensed form of
it.
the latter does, though it may be a more condensed form of
it.
the latter does, though it may be a more condensed form of
it.
the latter does, though it may be a more condensed form of
it.
the latter does, though it may be a more condensed form of
it.
the latter does, though it may be a more condensed form of
it.
Society is commonly too cheap. We meet at very short intervals, not having
had time to acquire any new value for each other. We meet at meals three times a day,
and give each other a new taste of that old musty cheese that we are. We have had
to
agree on a certain set of rules, called etiquette and politeness, to make this
frequent meeting tolerable, and that we need not come to open war. We meet at the
post-office, and at the sociable, and about the fireside every night; we live thick
and are in each other’s way, and stumble over one another, and I think that we thus
lose some respect for one another. Certainly less frequency would suffice for all
important and hearty communications. Consider the girls in a factory,—never alone,
hardly in their dreams.
It would be better if
there were but one inhabitant to a square mile, as where I live. The value of a man
is not in his skin, that we should touch him.
I have heard of a man lost in the woods and dying of famine and exhaustion at
the foot of a tree, whose loneliness was relieved by the grotesque visions
with
with
with
with
with
with
with
with
which, owing to bodily weakness,
and a
his
his
his
his
his
his
his
his
diseased imagination
he was surrounded
surrounded him
surrounded him,
surrounded him,
surrounded him,
surrounded him,
surrounded him,
surrounded him,
surrounded him,
and which he believed to be
relieved
real.
real.
real.
real.
real.
real.
real.
real.
There are
may be those who owing to bodily & mental
health & strength rather are continually
cheered by the like
a like though more simple & natural society
and never realize that they are alone.
There may be those who owing to bodily and
mental health & strength rather are continually cheered by a like but more
natural society, and never realize that they are alone.
So also, owing to bodily and mental health and strength, we
may be continually cheered by a like but more normal and natural society, and
come to know that we are never alone.
So also, owing to bodily and mental health and strength, we
may be continually cheered by a like but more normal and natural society, and
come to know that we are never alone.
So also, owing to bodily and mental health and strength, we
may be continually cheered by a like but more normal and natural society, and
come to know that we are never alone.
So also, owing to bodily and mental health and strength, we
may be continually cheered by a like but more normal and natural society, and
come to know that we are never alone.
So also, owing to bodily and mental health and strength, we
may be continually cheered by a like but more normal and natural society, and
come to know that we are never alone.
So also, owing to bodily and mental health and strength, we
may be continually cheered by a like but more normal and natural society, and
come to know that we are never alone.
I have a great deal of company in my house; especially in the morning, when
nobody calls.
I will
I will
Let me
Let me
Let me
Let me
Let me
Let me
Let me
suggest a few comparisons,
so that
that
that
that
that
that
that
that
some one may convey an idea of my situation. I am no more
alone
lonely
lonely
lonely
lonely
lonely
lonely
lonely
lonely
than the loon in the pond that laughs
aloud
so loud,
so loud,
so loud,
so loud,
so loud,
so loud,
so loud,
so loud,
or than Walden Pond itself. What company has that lonely lake, I pray? And yet
it has not the blue devils,
but the blue angels in it, in
the azure tint of its
waters. I am no more lonely than the north
star
waters.
waters.
waters.
waters.
waters.
waters.
waters.
The sun is alone, except in thick weather, when there sometimes appear to be
two, but one is a mock sun.
God is alone,—but the devil, he
is
by no means
by no means
far from being
far from being
far from being
far from being
far from being
far from being
far from being
alone;
he sees a great deal of
company;
he is legion.
he is legion.
he is legion.
he is legion.
he is legion.
he is legion.
he is legion.
he is legion.
I am no more lonely than a
single mullein or
dandelion
single mullein or dandelion
single mullein or dandelion
single mullein or dandelion
single mullein or dandelion
single mullein or dandelion
single mullein or dandelion
single mullein or dandelion
in a pasture, or a bean leaf, or
sorrel, or a single dandelion—
sorrel,
sorrel,
sorrel,
sorrel,
sorrel,
sorrel,
sorrel,
or a horse-fly, or a humble-bee. I am no more
lonesome
lonely
lonely
lonely
lonely
lonely
lonely
lonely
lonely
than the Mill Brook,
or a
weathercock,
or the northstar,
or the northstar,
or the northstar,
or the northstar,
or the northstar,
or the northstar,
or the northstar,
or the northstar,
or the south wind, or an April shower, or a January thaw, or the
only
first
first
first
first
first
first
first
first
spider in a new house.
I have occasional visits in the long winter evenings, when the snow falls
fast and the wind howls in the wood, from an old settler
and original proprietor, who is reported to
have dug Walden Pond, and stoned it, and fringed it with pine woods; who tells me
stories of old time and of new eternity; and between us we
manage to
manage to
manage to
manage to
manage to
manage to
manage to
manage to
pass a cheerful evening with social mirth and pleasant views of things, even
without apples or cider,—a most wise and humorous friend, whom I love much, who keeps
himself more secret than ever did Goffe or Whalley;
and though he is thought to be dead, none can show where he is
buried. An elderly dame,
too, dwells in my neighborhood, invisible to most persons, in whose odorous herb
garden I love to stroll
sometimes, gathering simples and listening to her fables; for she has a genius of
unequalled fertility, and her memory runs back farther than
the mythology,
mythology,
mythology,
mythology,
mythology,
mythology,
mythology,
mythology,
and she can tell me the original of every fable, and on what fact every one is
founded, for the incidents occurred when she was
a little girl
young.
young.
young.
young.
young.
young.
young.
young.
A ruddy and lusty old dame, who delights in all weathers and seasons, and is
likely to outlive all her children yet.
The indescribable innocence and beneficence of Nature,—of sun and wind and
rain, of summer and winter,—such health, such cheer, they afford forever! and such
sympathy have they ever with our race, that all Nature would be affected, and the
sun’s brightness fade, and the winds would sigh humanely, and the clouds
keep rain,
rain tears,
rain tears,
rain tears,
rain tears,
rain tears,
rain tears,
rain tears,
and the woods shed their leaves and put on mourning in midsummer, if any man
should ever for a just cause grieve. Shall I not have intelligence with the earth?
Am
I not partly leaves and vegetable mould
myself? God is my father & my
friend—men are my brothers—but nature is my mother & my sister.
myself?
myself?
myself?
myself?
myself?
myself?
myself?
What is the pill
which will keep us well, serene, contented? Not my or thy
great-grandfather’s, but our great-grandmother Nature’s universal, vegetable, botanic
medicines, by which she has kept herself young always, outlived so many old
Parrs
in her day, and fed
her health with their decaying fatness. For my panacea, instead of one of those quack
vials
of a mixture dipped
out of
from
from
from
from
from
from
from
Acheron
and the Dead Sea, which come out of those long shallow black-schooner looking wagons
which we sometimes see made to carry bottles, let me have a draught of undiluted
morning air. Morning air! If men will not drink of this at the fountain-head of the
day, why, then, we must even bottle up some and sell it in the shops, for the benefit
of those who have lost their subscription ticket to morning time in this world. But
remember that
remember,
remember,
remember,
remember,
remember,
remember,
remember,
it will not keep quite till noon-day even in the coolest cellar, but drive out
the stopples long ere that and follow westward the steps of Aurora.
I am no worshipper of Hygeia,
who was the daughter of that old herb-doctor Æsculapius,
and
who is represented on monuments holding a serpent in one hand, and in the other a
cup
out of which the serpent sometimes
drank;
drinks;
drinks;
drinks;
drinks;
drinks;
drinks;
drinks;
but rather of Hebe,
cupbearer to Jupiter, who was the daughter of Juno and wild
lettuce, and
who
who
who
who
who
who
who
had the power of restoring gods and men to the vigor of youth. She was
probably the only thoroughly sound-conditioned, healthy, and robust young lady that
ever walked
this
the
the
the
the
the
the
the
globe, and wherever she came it was spring.
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