# Quote — Henry David Thoreau, Walden

> Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.

- Author: [Henry David Thoreau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-david-thoreau.md)
- Book: [Walden](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-david-thoreau/walden.md)
- Page: 18
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Henry_David_Thoreau#Walden_(1854)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-david-thoreau/walden/most-of-the

## More from this book

> Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star.

p. 375 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-david-thoreau/walden/only-that-day.md)

> If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life.

p. 85 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-david-thoreau/walden/if-i-knew.md)

Topics: [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md)

> None can be an impartial or wise observer of human life but from the vantage ground of what we should call voluntary poverty.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henry-david-thoreau/walden/none-can-be-an-impartial.md)

Topics: [wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wisdom.md)