Would you help me with Thoreau, please?

I need help interpreting some Thoreau quotes from "Where I Lived and What I Lived For":

-"Pause! Avast! Why so seeming fast, but deadly slow?"

-"And we are enabled to apprehend at all what is sublime and noble only by the perpetual instilling and drenching of the reality that surrounds us."

-"Be it life or death, we crave only reality."

-"Shams and delusions are esteemed for soundless truths, while reality is fabulous."

I have an idea of what Thoreau means, but I am having trouble explaining it coherently. Could you please paraphrase the quotes for me?

Would you help me with Thoreau, please?internet

I" have an idea of what Thoreau means, but I am having trouble explaining it coherently. Could you please paraphrase the quotes for me?"

I'll try for you,

-"Pause! Avast! Why so seeming fast, but deadly slow?" =

Wait! Hold on! How can it appear so fast and yet so slow?

-"And we are enabled to apprehend at all what is sublime and noble only by the perpetual instilling and drenching of the reality that surrounds us." =

We are only able to comprehend what is good and right, what is noble, by suffering the reality of darkness first

-"Be it life or death, we crave only reality." =

We must know the truth, wether it means life or death

-"Shams and delusions are esteemed for soundless truths, while reality is fabulous." =

Fantasy will not fulfill you, but truth will set you free

I hope it helps.