82 Thought Provoking Quotes By Henry David Thoreau

What was Henry David Thoreau most known for?

Thoreau’s writings found little appreciation during his lifetime. However, his two most noted works gained significant popularity over time. These were: Walden; or, Life in the Woods (1854), and Civil Disobedience (1849). His writings became classic texts in American literature in the 20th century and inspired several people.

What is Thoreau's most famous poem?

Thoreau’s most famous poem is Walden. It is an account of the time he spent living alone in the woods at Walden Pond, Massachusetts. 

It reflects the importance of nature, solitude, and self-reliance. The first lines of this poem are quoted often:

“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.”

What is the Concept of Transcendentalism?

Henry David Thoreau was a transcendentalist. Transcendentalism describes a simple idea: people have knowledge that “transcends”. This means they know more about themselves and the world around them beyond what they can see, hear, taste, touch, or feel.

This concept encourages spiritual thinking and trusting your intuition. Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson was a famous transcendentalist and a friend of Thoreau. He summed up transcendentalism like this: “What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

How did Thoreau become a Transcendentalist?

Thoreau was influenced by the poet and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson, who was a leading figure of the transcendentalist movement in the 19th century. Thoreau joined the Transcendental Club – a group of writers and thinkers who gathered periodically at Emerson’s house to discuss philosophy.