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Henry David Thoreau Quotes about Success

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If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Music, Forgiveness
Walden ch. 18 (1854). Frequently quoted as "marches to the tune of a different drummer."

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Witty, Perseverance

The secret of achievement is to hold a picture of a successful outcome in mind.

Henry David Thoreau
Inspirational, Success, Achievement

It is what a man thinks of himself that really determines his fate.

Henry David Thoreau
Happiness, Success, Hope

In the long run, you hit only what you aim at.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Sports, Running

You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.

Henry David Thoreau
Happiness, Success, Hope
Henry David Thoreau, Jeffrey S. Cramer (2007). “I to Myself: An Annotated Selection from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau”, p.395, Yale University Press

Undoubtedly, in the most brilliant successes, the first rank is always sacrificed.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, War, Firsts
Henry David Thoreau (2013). “The Selected Essays of Henry David Thoreau”, p.30, Simon and Schuster

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.

Henry David Thoreau
Inspirational, Life, Success
Henry David Thoreau (2012). “The Portable Thoreau”, p.202, Penguin

Men are born to succeed, not to fail.

Henry David Thoreau
Life, Success, Inspiration
Henry David Thoreau (2013). “Quotable Thoreau: An A to Z Glossary of Inspiring Quotations from Henry David Thoreau”, p.93, BookBaby

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.

Henry David Thoreau
Inspirational, Life, Success
Walden ch. 1 (1854)

We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success. What we do best or most perfectly is what we have most thoroughly learned by the longest practice, and at length it falls from us without our notice, as a leaf from a tree.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Fall, Dark
Henry David Thoreau (1960). “H. D. Thoreau, a Writer's Journal”, p.198, Courier Corporation

Where there is a brave man, in the thickest of the fight, there is the post of honor.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Courage, Fighting
Henry David Thoreau, David Gross (2007). “The Price of Freedom: Political Philosophy from Thoreau's Journals”, p.12, David M Gross

You must get your living by loving, or at least half your life is a failure.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Half, Life Is

You fail in your thoughts, or you prevail in your thoughts only.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Thoughtful, Thinking
Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson (1865). “Letters to Various Persons”, p.180

The success of great scholars and thinkers is commonly a courtier-like success, not kingly, not manly.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Scholar, Thinker
Henry David Thoreau (1882). “Walden”, p.26

There is something servile in the habit of seeking after a law which we may obey. We may study the laws of matter at and for our convenience, but a successful life knows no law.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Freedom, Law
Henry David Thoreau (1992). “The Essays of Henry David Thoreau”, p.138, Rowman & Littlefield

The process of discovery is very simple. An unwearied and systematic application of known laws to nature, causes the unknown to reveal themselves. Almost any mode of observation will be successful at last, for what is most wanted is method.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Knowledge, Science
Henry David Thoreau (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Henry David Thoreau (Illustrated)”, p.271, Delphi Classics

For it matters not how small the beginning may seem to be: what is once well done is done forever.

Henry David Thoreau
Inspirational, Success, Forever
"The Essays of Henry D. Thoreau: Selected and Edited by Lewis Hyde".

As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution.

Henry David Thoreau
Life, Success, Agreement
'Walden' (1854) 'Economy'

A man cannot be said to succeed in this life who does not satisfy one friend.

Henry David Thoreau
Life, Friendship, Success
Henry David Thoreau (2006). “Thoreau and the Art of Life: Precepts and Principles”, p.11, Heron Dance Press

We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.

Henry David Thoreau
Motivational, Success, Congratulations
Henry David Thoreau, Barry Andrews (2005). “True Harvest: Readings from Henry David Thoreau for Every Day of the Year”, p.71, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

The really efficient laborer will be found not to crowd his day with work, but will saunter to his task surrounded by a wide halo of ease and leisure.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Business, Work
Henry David Thoreau, Odell Shepard (1961). “The Heart of Thoreau's Journals”, p.31, Courier Corporation

Alas! this is the crying sin of the age, this want of faith in the prevalence of a man. Nothing can be effected but by one man. Hewho wants help wants everything. True, this is the condition of our weakness, but it can never be the means of our recovery. We must first succeed alone, that we may enjoy our success together.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Faith, Recovery
Henry David Thoreau (2017). “Civil Disobedience & Other Essays - Premium Collection: 26 Political, Philosophical & Historical Essays: Slavery in Massachusetts, Life Without Principle, The Landlord, Walking, Sir Walter Raleigh, Paradise (to be) Regained, Herald of Freedom, A Plea for Captain John Brown, The Highland Light, Dark Ages…”, p.312, e-artnow

The only fruit which even much living yields seems to be often only some trivial success,--the ability to do some slight thing better. We make conquest only of husks and shells for the most part,--at least apparently,--but sometimes these are cinnamon and spices, you know.

Henry David Thoreau
Life, Success, Yield
Henry David Thoreau (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Henry David Thoreau (Illustrated)”, p.1651, Delphi Classics

I should consider it a greater success to interest one wise and earnest soul, than a million unwise and frivolous.

Henry David Thoreau
Success, Wise, Wisdom
Henry David Thoreau (1906). “Familiar letters”

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