Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau, (1817-1862) American author, poet, philosopher, polymath, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, historian, and transcendentalist

Henry David Thoreau Quote

“A gun gives you the body, not the bird.”

Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau
~ Henry David Thoreau
(1817-1862) American author, poet, philosopher, polymath, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, historian, and transcendentalist

Arms , Economics , Humility , Perseverance , Power , Proverbs

Ratings and Comments


Bobble, North Ferrisburgh, VT
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    Bobble, North Ferrisburgh, VT    6/14/16

    Maybe it was the times ... or maybe it's just me, but I'm having a hard time understanding Monsieur Thoreau's thinking re: guns - bodies - and birds.

    dr hamid ibrahim, KUALA LUMPUR
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    dr hamid ibrahim, KUALA LUMPUR    6/14/16

    WE MAY NOT HAVE PHILOSOPHERS LIKE 19TH AND 20TH CENT ONES.

    Mike, Norwalk
    • 1
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    Mike, Norwalk    6/14/16

    ahh yes, the tangible vs. the intangible; the physical vs. the spirit; somatic cooperation vs. intellect, etc.

    Ronw13, Oregon
    • Reply
    Ronw13, Oregon    6/14/16

    Very simply, applied to slavery vs freedom, physical vs spirit. Spoken by a abolitionist, naturalist and tax resister.

    E Archer, NYC
    • Reply
    E Archer, NYC    6/16/16

    It means, don't count your chickens before they're hatched! ;-) But with no gun, for sure there will be no bird (metaphorically speaking...)

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