We are apt to imagine that this hubbub of Philosophy, Literature, and Religion, which is heard in pulpits, lyceums, and parlors, vibrates through the universe, and is as catholic a sound as the creaking of the earth's axle. But if a man sleeps soundly, he will forget it all between sunset and dawn.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Philosophy and religion may seem universal, but a sleeping person forgets them by dawn.
- In plain terms
- Even grand ideas fade when we’re not conscious of them.
- What can you take from it?
- Stay awake to keep ideas alive.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you retain important ideas?
- What role does rest play in learning?
Another view
Sleep is necessary for mental health.
More from Henry David Thoreau
A slight sound at evening lifts me up by the ears, and makes life seem inexpressibly serene and grand. It may be Uranus, or it may be in the shutter.
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