We live in the midst of details that keep us running round in circles and never getting anywhere but tired, or that bring on nervous breakdowns and coronary thrombosis. The answer is not to take to the woods, but to find out what we really want to do and then cut out the details that fritter away what is most valuable in life. Live deep instead of fast. I think this is what Thoreau meant.
—Henry Seidel Canby
HT: Words of Wisdom: More Good Advice compiled and edited by William Safire, Leonard Safir