Do not pursue life sitting upon another man's shoulders

Quotations are extremely effective at capturing and concisely communicating thoughts and ideas. They can be inspirational but more importantly quotations can help us reveal and assess the assumptions, values and beliefs that underlie the ways in which we perceive the world.

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Here is one that popped up in my in-box the other day from one of my favourite human beings of all times - Henry David Thoreau.

It is not a man's duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong; he may still properly have other concerns to engage him; but it is his duty, at least, to wash his hands of it, and, if he gives it no thought longer, not to give it practically his support.

If I devote myself to other pursuits and contemplations, I must first see, at least, that I do not pursue them sitting upon another man's shoulders.

Credit: Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

Playlist: Henry David Thoreau

Life in the Woods. Henry David Thoreau

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