《瓦尔登湖·第十一章·更高的法则·Higher Laws》第6节
If one listens to the faintest but constant suggestions of his genius, which are certainly true, he sees not to what extremes, or even insanity, it may lead him; and yet that way, as he grows more resolute and faithful, his road lies. The faintest assured objection which one healthy man feels will at length prevail over the arguments and customs of mankind. No man ever followed his genius till it misled him. Though the result were bodily weakness, yet perhaps no one can say that the consequences were to be regretted, for these were a life in conformity to higher principles. If the day and the night are such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs, is more elastic, more starry, more immortal,—that is your success. All nature is your congratulation, and you have cause momentarily to bless yourself. The greatest gains and values are farthest from being appreciated. We easily come to doubt if they exist. We soon forget them. They are the highest reality. Perhaps the facts most astounding and most real are never communicated by man to man. The true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible and indescribable as the tints of morning or evening. It is a little star-dust caught, a segment of the rainbow which I have clutched.
注释摘要
这段文字位于“更高的法则”一章的中后段，是从饮食克制的具体讨论向内在精神律令的更高声明的攀升。此前梭罗坦白自己每次钓鱼之后都觉得自尊有所跌落，也谈起对肉食的本能反感与烹调带来的不洁感。现在他把话题从食物转向一个更彻底的原则：一个人应当听从自己内在最微弱却持续不断的提示，哪怕那种提示在旁人看来通向极端、甚至通向疯狂。 这里的genius不是现代意义上“天才”…