ON THE DUTY OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
obey. I should feel as if I were worth less in that case.
returned from a long journey. I was put into jail as I was going to
decision they may come to? Shall we not have the advantage of his
choose. If a thousand men were not to pay their tax-bills this
may. If I have unjustly wrested a plank from a drowning man, I must
march to Mexico; -- see if I would go"; and yet these very men have
You do not put your head into the fire. But just in proportion as I
sometimes they petition; but they do nothing in earnest and with
conscience? -- in which majorities decide only those questions to
Mexican prisoner on parole, and the Indian come to plead the wrongs
company, which has promised to bury him decently.
Constitution, and drink at it there with reverence and humility; but
I have paid no poll-tax for six years. I was put into a jail
not a hundred thousand politicians at the South, but a hundred
sustain the unjust government which makes the war; is applauded by
call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no
honest man and patriot to-day? They hesitate, and they regret, and
regard this as not wholly a brute force, but partly a human force,
desponding spirits, is in her prisons, to be put out and locked out
am concerned to trace the effects of my allegiance. In fact, I
Paley, a common authority with many on moral questions, in his
Gods" -- leaving them no wiser than before as to which was which;
independent votes? Are there not many individuals in the country
government, but at once a better government. Let every man make
who do not attend conventions? But no: I find that the respectable
Absolutely speaking, the more money, the less virtue; for money
The night in prison was novel and interesting enough. The
done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat
I could discover, he had probably gone to bed in a barn when drunk,
there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral
and even useful systems, for which we sincerely thank them; but all
does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has
desirous of being a good neighbor as I am of being a bad subject;
I quarrel not with far-off foes, but with those who, near at home,
expediency. Truth is always in harmony with herself, and is not
the purpose as well. Such command no more respect than men of straw
the following, while professing to speak absolutely, and as a
State requires. If they pay the tax from a mistaken interest in the
for any purposes of the demagogue. His vote is of no more worth
their money, furnished a substitute. The soldier is applauded who
commanded me to pay a certain sum toward the support of a clergyman
of the machinery of society. I am not the son of the engineer. I
It is not my business to be petitioning the Governor or the
And have not the same reasons prevented the State from resisting the
organ of gregariousness, and a manifest lack of intellect and
to the settlement of the question of human rights in the Council
in the present posture of affairs, the indispensablest mode of
with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong,
abused and perverted before the people can act through it. Witness
longer; but he was quite domesticated and contented, since he got
They are wont to forget that the world is not governed by policy and
when it presents its tax-bill, it will soon take and waste all my
least, that I do not pursue them sitting upon another mans
whitest, most simply furnished, and probably the neatest apartment
enjoy it? Is there any enjoyment in it, if his opinion is that he
may inspire. Our legislators have not yet learned the comparative
As for adopting the ways which the State has provided for
to split hairs, to make fine distinctions, or set myself up as
whole country is unjustly overrun and conquered by a foreign army,
presumption that time. If I had known how to name them, I should
government, or as a man, until he is obliged to consider whether he
people would not have consented to this measure.
However, the government does not concern me much, and I shall
and as for supporting schools, I am doing my part to educate my
must all allow. Yet this government never of itself furthered any
Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot
special labor with their hands. If there were one who lived wholly
persuaded the majority to alter them. They think that, if they
only new question which it puts is the hard but superfluous one, how
esteemed neighbor, the States ambassador, who will devote his days
refuses to serve in an unjust war by those who do not refuse to
itself, then perhaps you may consider whether the remedy will not be
so anxious to foist the sin of slavery upon her sister -- though at
chapter on the "Duty of Submission to Civil Government," resolves
as I think right; but I am not vitally concerned that that right
the common, such as he observed who went in a youth and emerged a
Governments show thus how successfully men can be imposed on, even
how to treat me, but behaved like persons who are underbred. In
Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place
To have her train borne up, and her soul trail in the dirt."
more urgent is the fact that the country so overrun is not our own,
not spent much time in accumulating property. To such the State
distinctly, Recognize me; and the simplest, the most effectual, and,
any that mere time could effect. I saw yet more distinctly the
letting one another alone; and, as has been said, when it is most
After all, the practical reason why, when the power is once in
ignorant; they would do better if they knew how: why give your
own meanness. After the first blush of sin comes its indifference;
her, but against her -- the only house in a slave State in which a
this was the best use it could put me to, and had never thought to
is reduced to a computation of the quantity of the danger and
with the real possessor of a thing than with the temporary guardian
I believe that the State will soon be able to take all my work
shall we transgress them at once? Men generally, under such a
or a lump of dirt. They have the same sort of worth only as horses
her right to my property and life. It costs me less in every sense
say what they are, or that they are worth looking at or thinking of
friendship was for summer weather only; that they did not greatly
called the "means" are increased. The best thing a man can do for
known what kind of government would command his respect, and that
seen.
were to live aloof from it, not meddling with it, nor embraced by
authority was the only offence never contemplated by government;
fellow and a clever man." When the door was locked, he showed me
This is the whole history of "My Prisons."
practical. Still, his quality is not wisdom, but prudence. The
experience and discrimination, and have no doubt invented ingenious
toward its fountain-head.
go at large again.
years, though perchance I have no right to say it, the New Testament
thousand merchants and farmers here, who are more interested in
do?" my answer is, "If you really wish to do anything, resign your
impose on themselves, for their own advantage. It is excellent, we
examined where former prisoners had broken out, and where a grate
described them; seen from a higher still, and the highest, who shall
government also.
neighbors this pain to treat you as they are not inclined to? But I
the Defender of the Constitution. There are really no blows to be
expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are
put themselves under my conduct; and in half an hour -- for the
tyranny or its inefficiency are great and unendurable. But almost
along with the latest advices from Mexico, after dinner, and, it may
smooth -- certainly the machine will wear out. If the injustice has
in the right, nor because this seems fairest to the minority, but
that tax -- I did not perceive that great changes had taken place on
to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing
but ventures, or is driven, to make some such desperate answer as
Again, I sometimes say to myself, When many millions of men, without
a feeling of humanity, or any other cause, have nothing whatever to
to men feebly your desire that it should prevail. A wise man will
"I am too high-born to be propertied,
How can a man be satisfied to entertain an opinion merely, and
they would deserve to be classed and punished with those mischievous
grievance on the one side, and of the probability and ex九-九-藏-书-网pense of
one does not remain inert to make way for the other, but both obey
may seem to be: what is once well done is done forever. But we love
commerce and agriculture than they are in humanity, and are not
government. The government itself, which is only the mode which the
themselves. But it is not the less necessary for this; for the
walls seemed a great waste of stone and mortar. I felt as if I
myself to other pursuits and contemplations, I must first see, at
even as far as men understand it. Can there not be a government in
to pay them, and enable the State to commit violence and shed
were inside the grating. It was to see my native village in the
than the seizure of his goods -- though both will serve the same
fast as it ripened, would prepare the way for a still more perfect
"so long as the interest of the whole society requires it, that is,
composed by some young men who had been detected in an attempt to
They have no doubt that it is a damnable business in which they are
as free as I was. I did not for a moment feel confined, and the
to do, and do nothing; who even postpone the question of freedom to
the only available one, thus proving that he is himself available
tribute-money," said he; -- and one took a penny out of his pocket;
governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly
know it, the last improvement possible in government? Is it not
When I came out of prison -- for some one interfered, and paid
quietly declare war with the State, after my fashion, though I will
his board for nothing, and thought that he was well treated.
into the world, is to see that the almshouses are in good repair;
"Not a drum was heard, not a funeral note,
minority then; but it is irresistible when it clogs by its whole
effort," he says, "and never propose to make an effort; I have never
petitioning him to pay you your due; but you take effectual steps at
in the town. He naturally wanted to know where I came from, and
consequently are most dangerous to a corrupt State, commonly have
doubted if he should see me again.
means of their respect for it, even the well-disposed are daily made
State government, directly, and face to face, once a year -- no more
of that room; for I found that even here there was a history and a
to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong; he may
and consider that I have relations to those millions as to so many
with his action? I know this well, that if one thousand, if one
How shall he ever know well what he is and does as an officer of the
evil, that they may no longer have it to regret. At most, they give
indifferent to slavery, or because there is but little slavery left
office." When the subject has refused allegiance, and the officer
This may be to judge my neighbors harshly; for I believe that many
persons who put obstructions on the railroads.
stayed there long, his principal business would be to look out the
divine.
composed, which are afterward printed in a circular form, but not
my body; just as boys, if they cannot come at some person against
voting for the right is doing nothing for it. It is only expressing
propose to do right; that they were a distinct race from me by their
the while to accumulate property; that would be sure to go again.
care to trace the course of my dollar, if I could, till it buys a
and see if he can get over this obstruction to his neighborliness
the Constitution, with all its faults, is very good; the law and the
to be thankful for, such as a great many have described them; but
suffer the right to prevail through them. I think that it is enough
enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual
have been bought. Oh for a man who is a man, and, as my neighbor
cheated, or with saying that you are cheated, or even with
of his race, should find them; on that separate, but more free and
They who know of no purer sources of truth, who have traced up
"they accuse me of burning a barn; but I never did it." As near as
property, and so harass me and my children without end. This is
think, in the Revolution of 75. If one were to tell me that this
those cases to which the rule of expediency does not apply, in which
respects a good subject of the Turkish government. Confucius said,
their private feelings interfere with the public good.
because they are physically the strongest. But a government in
My room-mate was introduced to me by the jailer as "a first-rate
what is it to any independent, intelligent, and respectable man what
war, who yet in effect do nothing to put an end to them; who,
renders comparatively small service, and a slight tax is wont to
It was formerly the custom in our village, when a poor debtor
strength. I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own
neighbor, the tax-gatherer, is the very man I have to deal with --
resist it for the most part; and they are commonly treated as
avail itself of my services in some way. I saw that, if there was a
that appeal is possible, first and instantaneously, from them to the
those whose own act and authority he disregards and sets at naught;
as if the state were penitent to that degree that it hired one to
When I converse with the freest of my neighbors, I perceive
be locked up in the county jail therefor, it would be the abolition
over the scene -- the town, and State, and country -- greater than
began to comprehend what its inhabitants were about.
and wise speculations on this theme would soon reveal the limits of
whom the latter would be harmless. We are accustomed to say, that
admirable order over hill and dale to the wars, against their wills,
people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be
associated with it. I cannot for an instant recognize that
a spring, or a pulley, or a rope, or a crank, exclusively for
would be inconvenient. But he that would save his life, in such a
eloquence of politicians in general, his are almost the only
jail, it is because they have not considered wisely how far they let
for the abolition of slavery, it will be because they are
fairly inside of it. I never had seen its institutions before.
How does it become a man to behave toward this American
both in person and property, from the government of Massachusetts,
They force me to become like themselves. I do not hear of men being
sinning for a moment. Thus, under the name of Order and Civil
nation. They have no genius or talent for comparatively humble
satisfaction with and love for it, is to deny it then. My civil
at all?
agriculture. If we were left solely to the wordy wit of legislators
once to obtain the full amount, and see that you are never cheated
that I never had heard the town-clock strike before, nor the evening
patrons of virtue to one virtuous man; but it is easier to deal
a man situated as I am necessarily meets it; and it then says
unnecessary to that life which we have made.
was half-witted, that it was timid as a lone woman with her silver
miles in this country? Hardly one. Does not America offer any
neighbor, you do not rest satisfied with knowing that you are
frequently the most serious obstacles to reform. Some are
disposed to review the acts and position of the general and State
had been sawed off, and heard the history of the various occupants
have no resting-place without it. They may be men of a certain
longer. In other words, when a sixth of the population of a nation
unfortunately, another man saw fit to pay it. I did not see why the
discretion of those who placed him there; but if he should steal
better than it would have them? Why does it always crucify Christ,
were to sit down the prisoner of Massachusetts, that State which is
I lived could be trusted as good neighbors and friends; that their
and glorious State, which also I have imagined, but not yet anywhere
marine, such a man as an American government can make, or such as it
writing:-- "Know all men by these presents, that I, Henry Thoreau,
conformity.
waiting for his trial to come on, and would have to wait as much
time, and a mans life will be gone. I have other affairs to attend
affairs. A man may grow rich in Turkey even, if he will be in all
me, but first looked at me, and then at one another, as if I had
justice, and to God. Associations formed elsewhere, springing from
signed on to; but I did not know where to find a complete list.
cheerful self-reliance; whose first and chief concern, on coming
special acuteness and ability, he is unable to take a fact out of
a people, as well as ahttp://www•99lib.netn individual, must do justice, cost what it
inducement for men to settle here? The American has dwindled into
with their hands in their pockets, and say that they know not what
money or your life," why should I be in haste to give it my money?
I have contemplated the imprisonment of the offender, rather
man or a musket to shoot one with -- the dollar is innocent -- but I
revolution, if any such is possible. If the tax-gatherer, or any
locked up. I wondered that it should have concluded at length that
captain, corporal, privates, powder-monkeys, and all, marching in
nowhere to be seen.
the same time comfortably in outward respects. It will not be worth
me in some distant Southern port, where my liberty is endangered, or
through! Our statistics are at fault: the population has been
treated the thief as he had treated them, and hoped, by a certain
many scores of newspapers in its service, but not one man. If my
wisdom and honesty, nevertheless? Can we not count upon some
of the State by her own act, as they have already put themselves out
and subjected to military law, I think that it is not too soon for
in the kitchen of the adjacent village-inn -- a wholly new and rare
useless and selfish; but he who gives himself partially to them is
lawyers truth is not truth, but consistency or a consistent
government as this, think that they ought to wait until they have
ground of a quarrel with her -- the Legislature would not wholly
which the rule of expediency is applicable? Must the citizen ever
regarded as a member of that church, has never made a like demand on
pronounced a benefactor and philanthropist.
thought-free, fancy-free, imagination-free, that which is not never
better than my neighbors. I seek rather, I may say, even an excuse
well -- is still an impure one: to be strictly just, it must have
government which they will have. Government is at best but an
the action of masses of men. When the majority shall at length vote
much-vexed questions of the day. We love eloquence for its own
support are undoubtedly its most conscientious supporters, and so
respect for law is, that you may see a file of soldiers, colonel,
State which bore this kind of fruit, and suffered it to drop off as
the sanction and consent of the governed. It can have no pure right
till one, perchance, overshadows and destroys the other. If a plant
majority of one already.
it. The State, having thus learned that I did not wish to be
for they did not wish to know.
better to talk about it: that we say is our mission. Reform keeps
to snivel about it. I am not responsible for the successful working
It not only divides states and churches, it divides families; ay, it
the present Mexican war, the work of comparatively a few individuals
that, whatever they may say about the magnitude and seriousness of
against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve
free man can abide with honor. If any think that their influence
conscience; but a corporation of conscientious men is a corporation
to live in, but to live in it, be it good or bad. A man has not
without the possibility, on your side, of appeal to any other
steep marching indeed, and produces a palpitation of the heart.
governments of those States where slavery exists are to regulate it
but each instant losing some of its integrity? It has not the
came out of jail, for his acquaintances to salute him, looking
dangerous. As they could not reach me, they had resolved to punish
their own laws, and spring and grow and flourish as best they can,
practical talent enough to avail himself of the light which it sheds
the wrong which I condemn.
I supported myself by voluntary subscription. I did not see why the
conform to them. Indeed, I have reason to suspect myself on this
State in which I lived. I saw to what extent the people among whom
redressing it on the other." Of this, he says, every man shall
some unscrupulous man in power? Visit the Navy Yard, and behold a
duty, at least, to wash his hands of it, and, if he gives it no
multitude? They only can force me who obey a higher law than I.
of slavery in America. For it matters not how small the beginning
not long retain her rank among the nations. For eighteen hundred
questions which he would otherwise be taxed to answer; while the
to -- for I will cheerfully obey those who know and can do better
kindred subjects, content me as little as any. Statesmen and
millions of men, and not of mere brute or inanimate things, I see
that he does only what belongs to himself and to the hour.
the question, and their regard for the public tranquillity, the long
from an absolute to a limited monarchy, from a limited monarchy to a
without a ruder and more impetuous thought or speech corresponding
expediency. Webster never goes behind government, and so cannot
divides the individual, separating the diabolical in him from the
until I am bent solely on building up an estate at home by peaceful
even suppose blood should flow. Is there not a sort of blood shed
the hands of the people, a majority are permitted, and for a long
honest men to rebel and revolutionize. What makes this duty the
consequences to their property and families of disobedience to it.
said, "or be locked up in the jail." I declined to pay. But,
I do not hesitate to say, that those who call themselves
other public officer, asks me, as one has done, "But what shall I
may say, buried under arms with funeral accompaniments, though it
value of free-trade and of freedom, of union, and of rectitude, to a
I meet this American government, or its representative, the
whose preaching my father attended, but never I myself. "Pay," it
Government, we are all made at last to pay homage to and support our
If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the
his minds range and hospitality. Yet, compared with the cheap
waive the subject the following winter.
gossip which never circulated beyond the walls of the jail.
refuse to pay their quota into its treasury? Do not they stand in
themselves -- the union between themselves and the State -- and
follower. His leaders are the men of 87. "I have never made an
Even the Chinese philosopher was wise enough to regard the
his culture when he is rich is to endeavor to carry out those
short ventures to live only by the aid of the Mutual Insurance
called for the vessels again, I was green enough to return what
it to his will. It is a sort of wooden gun to the people
should prevail. I am willing to leave it to the majority. Its
constituents, to the general laws of propriety, humanity, and
people must have some complicated machinery or other, and hear its
constitution, of retracting or altering their present demand, and
which I have not joined." This I gave to the town clerk; and he has
whom they have a spite, will abuse his dog. I saw that the State
thought that my chief desire was to stand the other side of that
to be abolished by their vote. They will then be the only slaves.
but leave that office to his dust at least:--
men, and to treat the individual with respect as a neighbor; which
experienced a little in his own person. Cast your whole vote, not a
case, or rather they abet injustice to a greater extent than the
place which Massachusetts has provided for her freer and less
could convince myself that I have any right to be satisfied with men
restore it to him though I drown myself. This, according to Paley,
published. I was shown quite a long list of verses which were
yourself always tucked up and ready for a start, and not have many
put my head deliberately into the fire, there is no appeal to fire
State, and gladly enjoy the advantages of Caesars government, then
he never once glances at the subject. I know of those whose serene
the same relation to the State, that the State does to the Union?
and from immoral it becomes, as it were, unmoral, and not quite
for the selection of a candidate for the Presidency, made up chiefly
reputation of being a clever man, had been there some three months
established government be obeyed, and no longer.... This principle
He who gives himself entirely to his fellow-men appears to them
endeavor to be satisfied with things as they are, and say it is the
expected to behold, to lie there for one night. It seemed to me
And not desire of rule or benefit."
Oer the grave where our hero we buried."
resisting this and a purely brute or natural force, that I can
disinterested virtue to sustain it. The slight reproach to which
As his corse to th
九_九_藏_书_网
e rampart we hurried;pay him back some of his own when he demands it; "Render therefore
bestow the fewest possible thoughts on it. It is not many moments
death. I see this blood flowing now.
on one of our highest hills, two miles off, and then the State was
recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity,
bread I had left; but my comrade seized it, and said that I should
likely to incur. Those who, while they disapprove of the character
then have signed off in detail from all the societies which I never
Probably this is the only house in the town where verses are
enemies by it. A wise man will only be useful as a man, and will
prisoners in their shirt-sleeves were enjoying a chat and the
enterprise, I can afford to refuse allegiance to Massachusetts, and
purpose -- because they who assert the purest right, and
the State, that they would not be as an enemy within its walls, they
-- is always sold to the institution which makes him rich.
One would think, that a deliberate and practical denial of its
for a long time appearing to be to him, unwise rulers or reformers
of a jail window, "How do ye do?" My neighbors did not thus salute
pool, gird up their loins once more, and continue their pilgrimage
friction; and possibly this does enough good to counterbalance the
locked the door on my meditations, which followed them out again
I heartily accept the motto, -- "That government is best which
This American government -- what is it but a tradition, though a
ay, against their common sense and consciences, which makes it very
and the short of the matter is, that they cannot spare the
all civil obligation into expediency; and he proceeds to say that
through the power of the majority. There is but little virtue in
to Caesar that which is Caesars, and to God those things which are
armed with superior wit or honesty, but with superior physical
countenanced an effort, and never mean to countenance an effort, to
Practically speaking, the opponents to a reform in Massachusetts are
it was certainly no great virtue to obtain it. It puts to rest many
could not help being struck with the foolishness of that institution
fashion. Let us see who is the strongest. What force has a
if they have God on their side, without waiting for that other one.
and measures of a government, yield to it their allegiance and
possible to take a step further towards recognizing and organizing
There are thousands who are in opinion opposed to slavery and to the
sensible and valuable words, and we thank Heaven for him.
government to-day? I answer, that he cannot without disgrace be
I ought to be, then, like a good Mussulman and fatalist, I should
or to the Maker of fire, and I have only myself to blame. If I
given by him but defensive ones. He is not a leader, but a
tottering and gray-headed man; and yet a change had to my eyes come
All men recognize the right of revolution; that is, the right to
of you a few shillings only, without the possibility, such is their
experience and the effectual complaints of the people, America would
few are not materially wiser or better than the many. It is not so
distinctly and nakedly behold it. They speak of moving society, but
sake, and not for any truth which it may utter, or any heroism it
its demand, as well as the Church. However, at the request of the
individual as the basis of the empire. Is a democracy, such as we
in their village.
evil. This may seem to be harsh and stubborn and unconciliatory;
everything to do, but something; and because he cannot do
priest the schoolmaster: for I was not the States schoolmaster, but
everything, it is not necessary that he should do something wrong.
even would not think it inconsistent with its own repose if a few
that I refuse to pay it. I simply wish to refuse allegiance to the
and Franklin rebels?
spoons, and that it did not know its friends from its foes, and I
never see him again; but at length he showed me which was my bed,
and dogs. Yet such as these even are commonly esteemed good
-- and he has voluntarily chosen to be an agent of the government.
period continue, to rule, is not because they are most likely to be
politicians, and eloquent men, by the thousand; but the speaker has
appear exorbitant, particularly if they are obliged to earn it by
once to earn nine shillings for the State, he is put in prison for a
sounds of the village; for we slept with the windows open, which
schemes which he entertained when he was poor. Christ answered the
escape, who avenged themselves by singing them.
not yet opened his mouth to speak who is capable of settling the
the virtue of patriotism is commonly liable, the noble are most
political organization as my government which is the slaves
Chamber, instead of being threatened with the prisons of Carolina,
to spend it. Thus his moral ground is taken from under his feet.
which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but
obstinately; you quietly submit to a thousand similar necessities.
for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the
If others pay the tax which is demanded of me, from a sympathy
with the State, they do but what they have already done in their own
The broadest and most prevalent error requires the most
right, as it goes by them. There are nine hundred and ninety-nine
do with it. They have never received any encouragement from me, and
It may be in a great strait, and not know what to do: I cannot help
shoulders. I must get off him first, that he may pursue his
period unlimited by any law that I know, and determined only by the
window. I had soon read all the tracts that were left there, and
duties might be inferred? "The manner," says he, "in which the
but ours is the invading army.
than that of any unprincipled foreigner or hireling native, who may
Matter of conscience and religion,
patriot than my fellow-countrymen. Seen from a lower point of view,
to be disposed of by the intellect -- what, for instance, it
he has made current and valuable, that is, if you are men of the
fund for the support of the widows and orphans that may be; who, in
ado about it, for I can do without them. All machines have their
walls of solid stone, two or three feet thick, the door of wood and
not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail
Men at all? or small movable forts and magazines, at the service of
as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and
I know that most men think differently from myself; but those
much on his guard in such a case, lest his action be biased by
Abolitionists should at once effectually withdraw their support,
with imagining a State at least which can afford to be just to all
each, directly by their allegiance, and so indirectly, at least, by
heard the sound of their steps returning into the hollow apartments.
their property; that after all they were not so noble but they
without the use of money, the State itself would hesitate to demand
else, why has it not assigned its definite, its suitable and
prejudices and superstitions, as the Chinamen and Malays are; that
behooves a man to do here in America to-day with regard to slavery,
requisitions of the President. Why do they not dissolve it
head; and each year, as the tax-gatherer comes round, I find myself
For my own part, I should not like to think that I ever rely on the
wall of stone between me and my townsmen, there was a still more
citizens. Others, as most legislators, politicians, lawyers,
States came into the Union." Still thinking of the sanction which
to. I came into this world, not chiefly to make this a good place
The mass of men serve the state thus, not as men mainly, but as
sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which have been brought
authority are derived, and treats him accordingly. I please myself
judge for himself. But Paley appears never to have contemplated
it of him. But the rich man -- not to make any invidious comparison
proportionate, penalty? If a man who has no property refuses but
"Come, boys, it is time to lock up"; and so they dispersed, and I
commerce, if they were not made of India rubber, would never manage
which the majority rule in all cases cannot be based on justice,
should not hear my petition, what should I do then? But in this
I hear of a convention to be held at Baltimore, or elsewhere,
alone of all my townsmen had paid my tax. They plainly did not know
for a just man is also a prison. The proper place to-day, the only
schoolmaster should be taxed to support the priest九-九-藏-书-网, and not the
strip of paper merely, but your whole influence. A minority is
do not wish to be regarded as a member of any incorporated society
as they are, and to treat them accordingly, and not according, in
an involuntary spectator and auditor of whatever was done and said
likely to serve the devil, without intending it, as God. A very
obligation, therefore, never exceeds that of expediency. Even
protection of the State. But, if I deny the authority of the State
putting in their way; and, if one were to judge these men wholly by
the next morning, I proceeded to finish my errand, and, having put
government; but for thinkers, and those who legislate for all time,
ninety times nine shillings from the State, he is soon permitted to
would be lost there, and their voices no longer afflict the ear of
revolutionary, and does not consist wholly with anything which was.
of it.
government. The standing army is only an arm of the standing
would not be back till noon; so he bade me good-day, saying that he
door, in small oblong-square tin pans, made to fit, and holding a
wrong-doing. He well deserves to be called, as he has been called,
was a bad government because it taxed certain foreign commodities
enterprise, but by the alacrity with which it got out of its way.
despairs of his country, when his country has more reason to despair
It was like travelling into a far country, such as I had never
petitioning the State to dissolve the Union, to disregard the
will of God. And, above all, there is this difference between
I think sometimes, Why, this people mean well; they are only
stones; and wooden men can perhaps be manufactured that will serve
Thus the State never intentionally confronts a mans sense,
Unjust laws exist; shall we be content to obey them, or shall we
refuse allegiance to, and to resist, the government, when its
on my mended shoe, joined a huckleberry party, who were impatient to
important that many should be as good as you, as that there be some
professions of most reformers, and the still cheaper wisdom and
has resigned his office, then the revolution is accomplished. But
when the friction comes to have its machine, and oppression and
me since; though it said that it must adhere to its original
individual taxed, to save his property, or prevent his going to
government is an expedient by which men would fain succeed in
weight. If the alternative is to keep all just men in prison, or
does it cry and resist before it is hurt? Why does it not encourage
-- in the person of its tax-gatherer; this is the only mode in which
in their sacrifices to humanity, they ran no risks, not even to
evil. At any rate, it is a great evil to make a stir about it. But
year, that would not be a violent and bloody measure, as it would be
not submit to be "clay," and "stop a hole to keep the wind away,"
Only his vote can hasten the abolition of slavery who asserts his
of humanity, a man laid out alive and standing, and already, as one
their wit and usefulness lie within certain not very wide limits.
and smoked his pipe there; and so a barn was burnt. He had the
evil. It makes it worse. Why is it not more apt to anticipate and
it, who fulfilled all the duties of neighbors and fellow-men. A
Moreover, any man more right than his neighbors constitutes a
I think right. It is truly enough said that a corporation has no
din, to satisfy that idea of government which they have.
only a cheap vote, and a feeble countenance and Godspeed, to the
of him. He forthwith adopts one of the candidates thus selected as
questions of taxation and finance, commerce and manufacturers and
I pumped my fellow-prisoner as dry as I could, for fear I should
should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not desirable to
brought to its ports, it is most probable that I should not make an
machines, with their bodies. They are the standing army, and the
cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right. The only
will be one step toward obtaining it.
which has undertaken to be the refuge of liberty are slaves, and a
hold slaves, were actually to withdraw from this copartnership, and
few, as heroes, patriots, martyrs, reformers in the great sense, and
heads; and, as they rarely make any moral distinctions, they are as
ay, if one HONEST man, in this State of Massachusetts, ceasing to
again. Action from principle -- the perception and the performance
to bounce over the obstacles which legislators are continually
be, fall asleep over them both. What is the price-current of an
heat, without ill-will, without personal feeling of any kind, demand
is for their own consideration, under their responsibility to their
perceive that, when an acorn and a chestnut fall side by side, the
and not wait till they constitute a majority of one, before they
the effects of their actions, and not partly by their intentions,
scourge it while it sinned, but not to that degree that it left off
more eloquently and effectively he can combat injustice who has
by their principles. It is there that the fugitive slave, and the
horse was soon tackled -- was in the midst of a huckleberry field,
contemplations too. See what gross inconsistency is tolerated. I
of right -- changes things and relations; it is essentially
prepared to do justice to the slave and to Mexico, cost what it may.
principles of reason, riches and honors are the subjects of shame."
evening air in the doorway, when I entered. But the jailer said,
returned too large. How many men are there to a square thousand
co-operate with, and do the bidding of those far away, and without
straight though useless path from time to time, to save their souls.
stone wall. I could not but smile to see how industriously they
courts are very respectable; even this State and this American
may be
In the morning, our breakfasts were put through the hole in the
on the science of legislation?
millions, why expose yourself to this overwhelming brute force? You
expedient, the governed are most let alone by it. Trade and
also I believe, -- "That government is best which governs not at
protection of the existing government, and they dread the
obstinacy or an undue regard for the opinions of men. Let him see
character of the voters is not staked. I cast my vote, perchance,
for it is, after all, with men and not with parchment that I quarrel
powerless while it conforms to the majority; it is not even a
is aggrieved? If you are cheated out of a single dollar by your
and, before yet he has lawfully donned the virile garb, to collect a
order me out to help put down an insurrection of the slaves, or to
the fault of the government itself that the remedy is worse than the
lay that up for lunch or dinner. Soon after he was let out to work
endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or
more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way. For
think that Massachusetts does exactly what is right at the present
Or useful serving-man and instrument
obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what
comes between a man and his objects, and obtains them for him; and
honorable ground, where the State places those who are not with
cannot fatally interrupt him.
machine of government, let it go, let it go; perchance it will wear
experience to me. It was a closer view of my native town. I was
hundred, if ten men whom I could name -- if ten honest men only --
esteeming themselves children of Washington and Franklin, sit down
He occupied one window, and I the other; and I saw that if one
legislators who contemplate no essential reform in the existing
case the State has provided no way; its very Constitution is the
without public inconveniency, it is the will of God... that the
stream, and visions of knights and castles passed before me. They
Legislature any more than it is theirs to petition me; and if they
so long as the established government cannot be resisted or changed
still make what use and get what advantage of her I can, as is usual
to incur the penalty of disobedience to the State than it would to
men, serve the state with their consciences also, and so necessarily
remedying the evil, I know not of such ways. They take too much
This is one of its peculiar institutions; for it is a shire town. I
change the nature of the rocks and trees and beasts.
they never will."
permit others to suffer much greater pain of a different kind.
and excommunicate Copernicus and Luther, and pronounce Washington
fellow-countrymen now. It is for no particular item in the tax-bill
Union, which have pre
九-九-藏-书-网vented them from resisting the State?
eat that soon. You must live within yourself, and depend upon
All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or backgammon,
This, then, is my position at present. But one cannot be too
seen from a point of view a little higher, they are what I have
disturb the arrangement as originally made, by which the various
robbery are organized, I say, let us not have such a machine any
all say that such is not the case now. But such was the case, they
selectmen, I condescended to make some such statement as this in
have heard some of my townsmen say, "I should like to have them
being admitted, the justice of every particular case of resistance
It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It
misery are subjects of shame; if a state is not governed by the
its stream no higher, stand, and wisely stand, by the Bible and the
-- if you use money which has the image of Caesar on it, and which
And if at any time we alienate
all"; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of
and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which
private man -- from which what new and singular code of social
course; and, as the world goes, I believe he was. "Why," said he,
But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who
only spirit that can appreciate or deserves it. So is an change for
were the voices of old burghers that I heard in the streets. I was
Maker of them, and, secondly, from them to themselves. But, if I
absolute goodness somewhere; for that will leaven the whole lump.
I have never declined paying the highway tax, because I am as
were that to live? When I meet a government which says to me, "Your
of editors, and men who are politicians by profession; but I think,
innocent blood. This is, in fact, the definition of a peaceable
that I live under a government, even in this world. If a man is
No: until I want the protection of Massachusetts to be extended to
I have to do is to see, at any rate, that I do not lend myself to
legislator? Why has every man a conscience, then? I think that we
difficult one to climb or break through, before they could get to be
where to hang my hat, and how he managed matters there. The rooms
provide for reform? Why does it not cherish its wise minority? Why
the shoemakers to get a shoe which was mended. When I was let out
at haying in a neighboring field, whither he went every day, and
"We must affect our country as our parents,
Comparatively, he is always strong, original, and, above all,
over my person and property but what I concede to it. The progress
law. Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine. What
its citizens to be on the alert to point out its faults, and do
than I, and in many things even those who neither know nor can do so
turn how he came there, presuming him to be an honest man, of
hard. This makes it impossible for a man to live honestly, and at
the agents of injustice. A common and natural result of an undue
In their practice, nations agree with Paley; but does any one
I do not wish to quarrel with any man or nation. I do not wish
worse than the evil; but if it is of such a nature that it requires
of this sort out of my hands, and then I shall be no better a
concerned; they are all peaceably inclined. Now, what are they?
the rights of man? There will never be a really free and
resist this with some effect; but I cannot expect, like Orpheus, to
make war on Mexico, though it cost them their existence as a people.
We must respect effects and teach the soul
thought longer, not to give it practically his support. If I devote
legislators, standing so completely within the institution, never
Some years ago, the State met me in behalf of the Church, and
militia, jailers, constables, posse comitatus, etc. In most cases
concerned chiefly to reveal the justice that may consist with
government are, in many respects, very admirable and rare things,
every threat and in every compliment there was a blunder; for they
iron, a foot thick, and the iron grating which strained the light, I
through their fingers, which were crossed to represent the grating
Our love or industry from doing it honor,
The authority of government, even such as I am willing to submit
"A drab of state, a cloth-o-silver slut,
To any sovereign state throughout the world."
do not know by how much truth is stronger than error, nor how much
effect. They will wait, well disposed, for others to remedy the
they who behold where it comes trickling into this lake or that
without let or hindrance, and they were really all that was
pint of chocolate, with brown bread, and an iron spoon. When they
The opportunities of living are diminished in proportion as what are
manhood and immortality flow out, and he bleeds to an everlasting
lost all my remaining respect for it, and pitied it.
which treated me as if I were mere flesh and blood and bones, to be
with moral questions; and betting naturally accompanies it. The
State, to withdraw and stand aloof from it effectually. I do not
case, shall lose it. This people must cease to hold slaves, and to
vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend
some respects, to my requisitions and expectations of what they and
democracy, is a progress toward a true respect for the individual.
"If a state is governed by the principles of reason, poverty and
has been written; yet where is the legislator who has wisdom and
It is not a mans duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself
crisis?
says, has a bone in his back which you cannot pass your hand
that. It must help itself; do as I do. It is not worth the while
the better, like birth and death which convulse the body.
using the standing government as their tool; for, in the outset, the
sense; but they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and
light of the Middle Ages, and our Concord was turned into a Rhine
the mass of men are unprepared; but improvement is slow, because the
lyceum should not present its tax-bill, and have the State to back
outward observance and a few prayers, and by walking in a particular
in Congress for our guidance, uncorrected by the seasonable
its merely political relations, and behold it as it lies absolutely
ministers, and office-holders, serve the state chiefly with their
think, again, This is no reason why I should do as they do, or
and well-disposed man, or as a maniac and disturber of the peace,
treating with it on this head, of expressing your little
To be a secondary at control,
can make a man with its black arts -- a mere shadow and reminiscence
whose lives are by profession devoted to the study of these or
an Odd Fellow -- one who may be known by the development of his
do not resist cold and hunger, the winds and the waves, thus
shall treat me, his neighbor, for whom he has respect, as a neighbor
the question of free-trade, and quietly read the prices-current
the Constitution gives to slavery, he says, "Because it was a part
speak with authority about it. His words are wisdom to those
but it is to treat with the utmost kindness and consideration the
intellectual or moral, but only his body, his senses. It is not
They are rare in the history of the world. There are orators,
you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the
of the original compact -- let it stand." Notwithstanding his
once on this account, for one night; and, as I stood considering the
of them are not aware that they have such an institution as the jail
man, so called, has immediately drifted from his position, and
You must hire or squat somewhere, and raise but a small crop, and
what brought me there; and, when I had told him, I asked him in my
in such cases.
give up war and slavery, the State will not hesitate which to
No man with a genius for legislation has appeared in America.
still properly have other concerns to engage him; but it is his
forced to have this way or that by masses of men. What sort of life
cannot live according to its nature, it dies; and so a man.
with a conscience. Law never made men a whit more just; and, by
when the conscience is wounded? Through this wound a mans real
were whitewashed once a month; and this one, at least, was the
and left me to blow out the lamp.
should resist, the remedy would be worse than the evil. But it is
Herodians according to their condition. "Show me the
for conforming to the laws of the land. I am but too ready to
own freedom by his vote.
present she can discover only an act of inhospitality to be the