The quote refers to the inner monologue of man. The conscious. The voice that convinces us to do what we do and do not do. More importantly it refers to man’s self confidence and belief in not only who they are and what they do, but who they could be and what they could do. Their personal belief in their potential.
Thoreau’s full quote gives a much clearer view of his message. “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” This implies that the voice is right, but most men ignore it. If everyone created everything that they came up with, there would be a lot of crap to wade through, but think of the paintings that have never been painted, the songs that have never been performed, the books, poems, and films that have not been written. The average adult is said to have three ideas worth a million dollars each year, but most of these are clearly under-developed, under-appreciated, or unrealized.
Obviously it comes down to the individual’s belief in himself to whether or not he listens to his conscious. Thoreau’s quote is almost inspirational; to forget what others think and ignore the impulse to do the easy thing and remain silent.
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