I think that there is nothing, not even crime, more opposed to poetry… — Henry David Thoreau

I think that there is nothing, not even crime, more opposed to poetry, to philosophy, ay, to life itself than this incessant business.

Henry David ThoreauAuthor · American · 1817 – 1862

More from Henry David Thoreau

All animals, except man, know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it. — Samuel Butler
There are three modes of bearing the ills of life, by indifference, by philosophy, and by religion. — Charles Caleb Colton
So long as you don't feel life's paltry and a miserable business, the rest doesn't matter, happiness or unhappiness. — David Herbert Lawrence
Men have a respect for scholarship and learning greatly out of proportion to the use they commonly serve. — Henry David Thoreau
If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. Men will believe what they see. — Henry David Thoreau
All men are children, and of one family. The same tale sends them all to bed, and wakes them in the morning. — Henry David Thoreau