Wanderers, today let’s explore quotes about walking.
Inside every one of us exists a desire to meander and explore.
Our best ideas seem to come when we’re aimlessly strolling. It’s as if there’s an intangible connection between thinking and walking. Some of the most famous thinkers from history—including Einsten, Jefferson, Darwin and Socrates—were diligent walkers. Here’s a list of quotes about the iconic flâneur’s favorite pastime.
There’s something about walking that just makes us feel alive. Maybe it’s the sense of freedom we feel when we’re out in the open, or maybe it’s the wayward thoughts that tend to come to us while we’re exploring new places. Whatever it is, there’s no doubt that walking has a special power to inspire and motivate us.
Here’s a curated collection of our favorite quotes about walking that will speak to the flâneur in you. May they inspire you to appreciate the art of walking even more. Enjoy!
Quotes About Walking
Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.
Søren Kierkegaard
If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.
Raymond Inmon
Home is everything you can walk to.
Jerry Spinelli Stargirl
All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.
Steven Wright
The mind picks some very bad times to take a walk doesn’t it?
Jeff Lindsay
A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world.
Paul Dudley White
My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.
Aldous Huxley
Walks. The body advances, while the mind flutters around it like a bird.
Jules Renard
In the morning a man walks with his whole body; in the evening, only with his legs.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
When you have worn out your shoes, the strength of the sole leather has passed into the fibre of your body. I measure your health by the number of shoes and hats and clothes you have worn out. He is the richest man who pays the largest debt to his shoemaker.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Meandering leads to perfection.
Lao Tzu
I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see.
John Burroughs
If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.
Confucius
It is good to collect things; it is better to take walks.
Anatole France
It is not easy to walk alone in the country without musing upon something.
Charles Dickens
No city should be too large for a man to walk out of in a morning.
Cyril Connolly
But in every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
John Muir
The sum of the whole is this: walk and be happy, walk and be healthy.
Charles Dickens
Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.
Henry David Thoreau
Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.
Wallace Stevens
After a day’s walk everything has twice its usual value.
George Macauley Trevelyan
Early one morning, any morning, we can set out, with the least possible baggage, and discover the world.
Thomas Clark
Walking is man’s best medicine.
Hippocrates
I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.
Henry David Thoreau
Thoughts come clearly while one walks.
Thomas Mann
We live in a fast-paced society. Walking slows us down.
Robert Sweetgall
The sum of the whole is this: walk and be happy, walk and be healthy.
Charles Dickens
Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.
Thomas Jefferson
Nothing like a nighttime stroll to give you ideas.
J.K. Rowling
The best remedy for a short temper is a long walk.
Jacqueline Schiff
Walking is also an ambulation of mind.
Gretel Ehrlich
Walking is the exact balance between spirit and humility.
Gary Snyder
An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Henry David Thoreau
We ought to take outdoor walks, to refresh and raise our spirits by deep breathing in the open air.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca
There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country. A fine landscape is like a piece of music; it must be taken at the right tempo. Even a bicycle goes too fast.
Paul Scott Mowrer
Walking takes longer…than any other known form of locomotion except crawling. Thus it stretches time and prolongs life. Life is already too short to waste on speed.
Edward Abbey
The Timeless Allure of Walking
Walking: it’s the pulse of human history and a simple act that’s connected thinkers and creators for centuries. It’s more than just a way to get around, it’s a journey into yourself, a way to explore your inner world while connecting with the outer one.
As Thoreau hinted, walking not only grounds us but can elevate our understanding of the surroundings. It’s not just a physical act but a holistic experience that rejuvenates the mind and the spirit with each step.
The Connection Between Walking and a Wandering Spirit
Walks foster a precious connection between the act of moving and the act of thinking, creating a perfect setting for a wandering spirit.
It’s during a walk that we find the space to entertain deep thoughts and engage with our innermost self on a grounded yet expansive stage.
As Socrates knew well, walking frees the spirit, encouraging it to wander, wonder, and dive deep into a rich tapestry of thoughts and creativity. This batch of quotes not only celebrates the physical act of walking but explores the introspective journey it triggers, honoring the rich tradition of thinking and creating on the go.
Contemplate and Create
Thought-Provoking Queries and Actionable Challenges
Contemplate
- How does the rhythm of your walking influence your thought process? Considering the different quotes, ponder over how walking might foster clarity, creativity, and balance in your mind.
- Reflect on the quote by Thomas Clark, “Early one morning, any morning, we can set out, with the least possible baggage, and discover the world.” How can adopting a minimalist approach during your walks help you appreciate your surroundings more and maybe even discover unexpected joys?
Create
- Inspired by Confucius’ quote, during your next walk, actively seek out positive attributes or beautiful details in your surroundings to emulate, and note down any negative aspects you wish to avoid or work on in yourself. Compile your observations into a personal reflection or a visual journal.
- Choose your favorite quote from the list and let it guide a solitary walk. Be it a meditative, slow-paced stroll or a vigorous, hearty walk, tailor your walk to embody the essence of the chosen quote. After the walk, jot down the feelings, thoughts, or realizations that came to you, forming a personal connection with the words you chose to guide you.
A Final Word
Whether you’re a seasoned flâneur or just starting out on your walking journey, we hope these quotes have inspired you to get up and explore the world around you.
What’s your favorite quote about walking? Have one you’d add? Leave it in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
You might also like these related quote collections:
This Post Has 8 Comments
Hoy tengo ganas de caminar, para explorar la distancia. Sentir la libertad, cuando no hay esperanza.
Esto es increíble, por favor hazlo y disfruta cada momento! -Blake
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“The sum of the whole is this: walk and be happy, walk and be healthy.” – Charles Dickens
This quote certainly speaks to me because of its simplicity and truth. There’s no grandiose prose needed when it comes to striking out for a good walk.
Great one, going to have to add it in. Thanks a lot for the new addition.