None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
Give me a Wildness whose glance no civilization can endure.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Thoreau expresses a longing for a raw, untamed essence of nature that resists the constraints of civilization.
In this quote, Henry David Thoreau is yearning for a wildness that remains unaffected by the encroachment of modern civilization. He suggests that true beauty and authenticity exist in the natural world, which holds a profound power that civilization struggles to appreciate or contain. This idea reflects a deeper philosophy that values nature's purity and resilience against the artificial constructs of society.
Themes
WildnessCivilizationNatureFreedomAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of preserving natural spaces amidst urban development.
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