Henry David Thoreau Quotes

The fifth freedom is freedom from ignorance.

Knowledge is no burden.

The greatest and noblest pleasure which we have in this world is to discover new truths, and the next is to shake off old prejudices.

The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free.

Preconceived notions are the locks on the door to wisdom.

Let ignorance talk as it will, learning has its value.

Human dignity is better served by embracing knowledge.

I have been a teacher myself all my life. I have an intense passion to share with people. Our only salvation is in knowledge, in learning.

It is becoming clear that the old platitudes can no longer be maintained, and that if we wish to improve our morals we must first improve our knowledge.

The pursuit of truth will set you free; even if you never catch up with it.

Learning sleeps and snores in libraries, but wisdom is everywhere, wide awake, on tiptoe.

Learning is an unwelcome guest to the Devil, and therefore he would fain starve it out …. If ever there be any Considerable Blow given to the Devil's Kingdom, it must be, by Youth Excellently Educated.

If we learn from those only, of whose lives and opinions we altogether approve, we shall have to turn from many of the highest and profoundest minds.

I subscribe to the school that there are no dumb questions.

A man remains ignorant because he loves ignorance, and chooses ignorant thoughts; a man becomes wise because he loves wisdom and chooses wise thoughts.

No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions.

No power and no treasure can outweigh the extension of our knowledge.

Morality can muddle mystical understanding and virtue is only necessary in so far as it favours success. All wisdom must be encompassed in order to achieve enlightenment.

Who does not understand should either learn, or be silent.

The gateways to wisdom and knowledge are always open.

Wisdom subdues bigotry.

The gift of knowledge is the highest gift in the world.

The only death I fear is dying ignorant.

The end of knowledge is wisdom The end of culture is perfection The end of wisdom is freedom The end of education is character. And character consists of eagerness to renounce one's selfish greed.

The difference between a learned man and an ignorant one is the same as that between a living man and a corpse.