Henry David Thoreau: "Civil Disobedience" (1848)

“For my own part, I should not like to think that I ever rely on the protection of the State. But, if I deny the authority of the State when in presents its tax-bill, it will soon take and waste all my property, and so harass me and my children without end. This is hard. This makes it impossible for a man to live honestly, and at the same time comfortably, in outward respect.”

I believe that Henry David Thoreau is stating that he can without a doubt say that he cannot ever rely on the protection of the State, but that if he was ever to wrong the State it being by tax-bill or in any sort of way they will punish you. In other words government is quick to punish those who break the law, yet take too long to bring help to the citizens and that is if they even get to bring the help at all. When referring to the tax-bill, he states that they will harass him, and if he was not to be around the State will go as far as harassing his children. There for stating that how is anyone suppose to live an honest life, while still being comfortable and have respect.

I choose this quote, because in a way it still rings as true in society today. Government will quickly judge those who break the law, at times without even giving the individual the right to defend themselves. Yet they don’t react with the same sense of urgency when a citizen is in need of help. To the extent of children being harassed can also be applied to society today, there are exceptions, but there are circumstances where family member will be bothered on behalf of another individual. It does make it impossible for a man to live honestly, and at the same time comfortably, in outward respect. There is always a contradiction with both, one wants to live honestly and with respect, yet the laws, those unfortunate individuals, lead those with comfortable life to question themselves, and at time feel ashamed of their comfort ability. In this society this will always be true, there will always be those who live comfortable and honest and feel as if they are leaving the rest of the society, but they will try to help the rest. As there will be those who live comfortable and be proud they achieved that status, believing that the rest of the population is able to do the same thing.