Henry David Thoreau's Enduring Legacy in a New PBS Documentary
The timeless wisdom of Henry David Thoreau, the 19th-century writer and naturalist, continues to resonate powerfully in our modern era. A new three-hour PBS documentary titled Henry David Thoreau brings his life and work into sharp focus, featuring an impressive voice cast that includes Jeff Goldblum as Thoreau and George Clooney providing narration. The production is further enriched by contributions from Ted Danson, Tate Donovan, and Meryl Streep, creating a compelling narrative that delves deep into Thoreau's philosophical and environmental insights.
A Documentary with Star Power and Scholarly Depth
Executive produced by Emmy-winning filmmaker Ken Burns and Eagles frontman Don Henley, with direction by Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers, the three-part film aired its first two installments on March 30, followed by the final part on March 31. Despite the celebrity involvement, the documentary maintains a firm focus on Thoreau's legacy, utilizing archival materials, interviews with scholars, writers, and environmentalists, as well as new footage shot in his hometown of Concord, Massachusetts.
Ken Burns emphasized Thoreau's contemporary relevance in a statement, noting, "Thoreau's insistence that conscience must guide citizenship, and that solitude can be a source of strength, continues to speak directly to our time." This sentiment underscores why Thoreau's works, such as Walden and Civil Disobedience, remain essential reading for those grappling with today's political and social tensions.
15 Notable Quotes from Henry David Thoreau
Curated from walden.org, here are fifteen quotes from Thoreau that capture his profound perspectives on nature, simplicity, honor, society, and love. These selections highlight why his voice still echoes across the centuries.
On Nature
- In short, all good things are wild and free. ("Walking")
- From the right point of view, every storm and every drop in it is a rainbow. (Journal, Dec. 11, 1855)
- I love nature, I love the landscape, because it is so sincere. It never cheats me. It never jests. It is cheerfully, musically earnest. (Journal, Nov. 16, 1850)
On the Simple Life
- That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest. (Journal, March 11, 1856)
- My greatest skill has been to want but little. (Journal, July 19, 1851)
- Our life is frittered away by detail … Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! (Walden)
On Living with Honor
- Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth. (Walden)
- Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something. (Thoreau to H.G.O. Blake, March 27, 1848)
- The highest that we can attain to is not Knowledge, but Sympathy with Intelligence. ("Walking")
On Society and Justice
- Cowards suffer, heroes enjoy. (Thoreau to H.G.O. Blake, May 20, 1860)
- A government which deliberately enacts injustice, and persists in it, will at length ever become the laughingstock of the world. ("Slavery in Massachusetts")
- Do not dissect a man till he is dead. (Journal, Sept. 14, 1841)
On Love and Beauty
- All romance is grounded on friendship. (Journal, Feb. 18, 1840)
- Beauty is where it is perceived. (Journal, Dec. 16, 1840)
- How insufficient is all wisdom without love. (Journal, March 25, 1842)
These quotes not only reflect Thoreau's deep connection to the natural world and his advocacy for a simpler, more intentional life but also his unwavering commitment to truth and justice. As the PBS documentary illustrates, his ideas continue to inspire and challenge us, proving that his voice is as vital today as it was in the 19th century.
