Henry David Thoreau Quotations: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
The mass of men are very easily imposed on. They have their runways in which they always travel, and are sure to fall into any pit or box-trap set therein.—Journal, 28 November 1860
The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.—Walden
The newspapers are the ruling power. What Congress does is an after-clap.—
Journal, 17 November 1850
The poor President, what with preserving his popularity and doing his duty, is completely bewildered.—"Life without Principle"
The progress from an absolute to a limited monarchy, from a limited monarchy to a democracy, is a progress toward a true respect for the individual.—"Resistance to Civil Government"
The question is whether you can bear freedom. At present the vast majority of men, whether white or black, require the discipline of labor which enslaves them for their own good.—Journal, 1 September 1853
The rich man . . . is always sold to the institution which makes him rich.—"Resistance to Civil Government"
The scholar requires hard labor as an impetus to his pen. He will learn to grasp it as firmly and wield it as gracefully and effectually as an axe or a sword.—Journal, 5 January 1842
The world rests on principles.—Thoreau to H. G. O. Blake, 19 December 1854
There is a coarse and boisterous money-making fellow in the outskirts of our town who is going to build a blank-wall under the hill along the edge of his meadow. The powers have put this into his head to keep him out of mischief, and he wishes me to spend three weeks digging there with him. The result will be that he will perhaps get some more money to hoard, and leave for his heirs to spend foolishly. If I do this, most will commend me as an industrious and hard-working man; but if I choose to devote myself to certain labors which yield more real profit, though but little money they may be inclined to look on me as an idler. Nevertheless, as I do not need the police of meaningless labor to regulate me, and do not see anything absolutely praiseworthy in this fellow’s undertaking any more than in many an enterprise of our own or foreign governments, however amusing it may be to him or them, I prefer to finish my education at a different school.—"Life Without Principle"
