“Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life? We are determined to be starved before we are hungry.”

Thoreau is talking about how we should take our time living our lives. There is no point to rushing because it will only make things worse. He is explaining how we must live life to the fullest while being connected to nature. We must take our time and enjoy the journey.

“Sympathy with the fluttering alder and poplar leaves almost takes away my breath; yet, like the
lake, my serenity is rippled but not ruffled”

Thoreau is talking about how his peaceful state may be disturbed but not disarranged or destroyed. His emotions are connected with nature. He is amazed at this connection. This quote came from the section of solitude. People may think that he was insane for his decision to live in the woods alone but Thoreau felt at peace with his surroundings.

“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads”

This quote comes from the winter chapter. Thoreau is talking about how heaven is all around us once you start looking for it. When connected with nature, peace and happiness will be found everywhere. The Over Soul is present always no matter the time or place.

“The change from storm and winter to serene and mild weather, from dark and sluggish hours to bright and elastic ones, is a memorable crisis which all things proclaim. It is seemingly instantaneous at last.”

Thoreau wanted to see the change from winter to spring. He waited to hear the birds chirp and for the days to become longer. It is one of the many aspects he wanted to experience living in the woods. He wanted to experience nature at its finest and truly be connected to it.

“The fault-finder will find faults even in paradise. Love your life, poor as it is. You may perhaps have some pleasant, thrilling, glorious hours, even in a poorhouse”

Thoreau wrote in his conclusion that we must love life even at its worst because you never know what is going to happen. Whether it’s paradise or at its worst it could possibly be, there may be beautiful and memorable moments that occur. He believed we must not discard or ignore the life that has been given to us because we only live once.