Civil Disobedience (1849) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit

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Characters/People edit see section history

• Henry David Thoreau: Add a description of this character.
• Caesar
• Paley

Quotes edit see section history

• ““If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of government, let it go, let it go; perchance it will wear smooth—certainly the machine will wear out. If the injustice has a spring, or a pulley, or a rope, or a crank, exclusively for itself, then perhaps you may consider whether the remedy will not be worse than the evil; but if it is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then I say, break the law. Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine. What I have to is to see, at any rate, that I do not lend myself to the wrong which I condemn” (20-1).”

• ““Absolutely speaking, the more money, the less virtue; for money comes between a man and his objects, and obtains them for him; and it was certainly no great virtue to obtain it… The best thing a man can do for his culture when he is rich is to endeavor to carry out those schemes which he entertained when he was poor” (26-7).”

• ““There will never be a really free and enlightened State, until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly. I please myself with imagining a State at last which can afford to be just to all men, and to treat the individual with respect as a neighbor; which even would think it inconsistent with its own repose, if a few were to live aloof from it, not meddling with it, nor embraced by it, who fulfilled all the duties of neighbors and fellowmen. A State which bore this kind of fruit, and suffered it to drop off as fast as it ripened, would prepare the way for a still more perfect and glorious State, which also I have imagined but not yet anywhere seen” (48).”

• Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers

• For it matters not how small the beginning may seem to be:  what is once well done is done forever. 

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• All men recognize the right of revolution; that is, the right to refuse allegiance to, and to resist, the government, when its tyranny or its inefficiency are great and unendurable. 

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• Confucius said:  If a state is governed by the principles of reason, poverty and misery are subjects of shame; if a state is not governed by the principles of reason, riches and honors are subjects of shame.

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Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Massachusetts
• America

First Sentence edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• Abolitionists: Activists in favor of abolishing slavery
• Mexican-American War: The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) was fought over boundary disputes between the two countries; the Americans believed that it was their "Manifest Destiny" to expand their territory. During the war, U.S. forces invaded Mexico and occupied its capital, eventually gaining the land that would later constitute California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.
• Transcendentalism: A philosophy that became influential in the late 18th century and 19th century. Transcendentalism rejects the idea that knowledge can be fully derived from experience and observation; rather, truth resides in the spiritual world. American transcendentalism reached its peak in New England in the 1840s, under the leadership of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson argued that, while the physical world is important, providing us with necessary goods and frequent beauty, people should live their lives based on truths grasped through reason, not physical perception. People will find truth within themselves; therefore, self-reliance and individuality are critical. Emerson served as a mentor to Thoreau, who became another leading American transcendentalist.
• Daniel Webster: Daniel Webster (1792-1852) was a well-known American orator, lawyer and politician. As a U.S. Senator, he was an eloquent defender of a strong national government. He opposed the war with Mexico and was instrumental in passing the Compromise of 1850 on slavery, for which many Northerners denounced him. He also served as Secretary of State for Presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler and Millard Fillmore.

Series & Lists edit see section history

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Henry David Thoreau (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

• Copyright Status: Public Domain
• Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
• Dewey: 818.309

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Literature & Fiction › Authors, A-Z › ( T ) › Thoreau, Henry David
• Books › Literature & Fiction › World Literature › United States › History & Criticism
• Books › Literature & Fiction › World Literature › United States › Classics
• Books › Literature & Fiction › World Literature › United States › 19th Century
• Books › Nonfiction › Current Events › Civil Rights & Liberties
• Books › Nonfiction › Politics

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

• Project Gutenberg: Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau: You can read the full, original English text of this public domain work at the Project Gutenberg website, or download it for free in a variety of eBook formats.

Books That Cite This Book edit see section history