"Those whom we can love, we can hate; to others we are indifferent"

In the quote "Those whom we can like, we can dislike; to others we are indifferent", Henry David Thoreau checks out the extreme and typically paradoxical nature of human emotions, especially concentrating on love and hate. At the heart of this declaration is the concept that strong emotions are closely associated and can even exist together or transform from one to another.

Thoreau suggests that the capacity to love deeply carries with it the capacity to experience similarly intense sensations of hate. This is because both feelings require an extensive level of engagement and financial investment in another person. Love and hate, for that reason, are not opposites in Thoreau's view, but rather 2 sides of the same psychological coin. Both are driven by passion and a deep connection to the individual included. This duality highlights the complexity of human relationships and feelings. It recommends that when we care deeply about somebody, the stakes are higher in the relationship, making it fertile ground for both favorable and unfavorable feelings.

On the flip side, Thoreau talks about "others we are indifferent" to. Indifference, in this context, is depicted as the real opposite of love. When we are indifferent, we neither invest mentally nor engage with the individual on any substantial level. This implies that indifference is a type of emotional disengagement where we do not care enough to love or dislike. It points to a lack of connection, attention, or significance which might recommend emotional range or lethargy.

In essence, Thoreau is highlighting the idea that intense feelings, whether love or hate, develop from a deep involvement with others. This quote motivates us to reflect on our relationships, advising us that strong emotions are a testament to our capability to link, even if those connections are stuffed with complexity. It also highlights the concept that indifference, rather than hate, positions a greater obstacle to significant relationships and human connection.