,on ! ,duty ( ,civil ,disob$i5ce     by 
,h5ry ,david ,?oreau       #ahdi1       
orig9al title3 ,resi/ance to ,civil     
,gov]nm5t        ,i he>tily accept !    
motto1--8,t gov]nm5t is be/ :i* gov]ns  
lea/20 & ,i %\ld l to see x act$ up to m
 rapidly &  sy/ematically4 ,c>ri$ out1 x
 f9ally am\nts to ?is1 :i* also ,i      
believe--8,t gov]nm5t is be/ :i* gov]ns 
n at all20 & :5  m5 are prep>$ = x1 t w 
be ! k9d ( gov]nm5t :i* !y  w h4        
,gov]nm5t is at be/ b an exp$i5t2 b mo/ 
gov]nm5ts  are usually1 & all gov]nm5ts 
are sometimes1 inexp$i5t4 ,!  objections
 :i* h be5 br\ght aga9/ a /&+ army1 & !y
  are _m & weighty1 & des]ve to prevail1
 may also at la/ be  br\ght aga9/ a /&+ 
gov]nm5t4 ,! /&+ army is only an arm  ( 
! /&+ gov]nm5t4 ,! gov]nm5t itself1 :i* 
is only !  mode :i* ! p h *os5 to       
execute _! w1 is equally  liable to be  
abus$ & p]v]t$ be=e ! p c act ?r\gh x4  
,witness ! pres5t ,mexican w>1 ! "w (   
comp>atively a few  individuals us+ !   
/&+ gov]nm5t z _! tool2 =1 9 !  outset1 

! p w\ld n h cons5t$ to ?is measure4    
,?is ,am]ican gov]nm5t1--:at is x b a   
tradition1 ?\gh a rec5t  "o1 endeavor+  
to transmit itself unimpair$ to po/]ity1
 b ea*  in/ant los+ "s ( its integrity8 
,x has n ! vitality & =ce  ( a s+le liv+
 man2 = a s+le man c b5d x to 8 w4 ,x is
  a sort ( wood5 gun to ! p !mselves2 &1
 if ev] !y %\ld  use x 9 e>ne/ z a real 
"o aga9/ ea* o!r1 x w surely  split4 ,b 
x is n ! less necess>y = ?is2 = ! p mu/ 
h "s complicat$ ma*9]y or o!r1 & he> its
 d91 to satisfy  t idea ( gov]nm5t :i*  
!y h4 ,gov]nm5ts %[ ?us h[  successfully
 m5 c be impos$ on1 ev5 impose on       
!mselves1 =  _! own advantage4 ,x is    
excell5t1 we mu/ all all[2 yet ?is      
gov]nm5t nev] ( itself fur!r$ any       
ent]prise1 b by !  alacrity ) :i* x got 
out ( its way4 ,x does n keep !  c\ntry 
free4 ,x does n settle ! ,we/4 ,x does n
 educate4 ,!  "* inh]5t 9 ! ,am]ican p  
has done all t has be5  accompli%$2 & x 
w\ld h done some:at m1 if ! gov]nm5t  _h
 n sometimes got 9 its way4 ,= gov]nm5t 

is an exp$i5t1 by  :i* m5 w\ld fa9      
succe$ 9 lett+ "o ano!r alone2 &1 z has 
be5 said1 :5 x is mo/ exp$i5t1 ! gov]n$ 
are mo/ let alone  by x4 ,trade &       
comm]ce1 if !y 7 n made ( ,india rubb]1 
w\ld  nev] manage to b\nce ov] ob/acles 
:i* legislators are cont9ually  putt+ 9 
_! way2 &1 if "o 7 to judge ^! m5 :olly 
by !  effects ( _! actions1 & n p>tly by
 _! int5tions1 !y  w\ld des]ve to be    
class$ & puni%$ ) ^? mis*iev\s p]sons   
:o put ob/ructions on ! railroads4      
,b1 to speak practically & z a citiz51  
unlike ^? :o call  !mselves no-gov]nm5t 
m51 ,i ask =1 n at once no gov]nm5t1 b  
at once a bett] gov]nm5t4 ,let e man    
make kn[n :at k9d (  gov]nm5t w\ld comm&
 8 respect1 & t w be "o /ep t[>d  obta9+
 x4    ,aft] all1 ! practical reason :y1
 :5 ! p[] is once 9 !  h&s ( ! p1 a     
majority are p]mitt$1 & = a long p]iod  
cont9ue1 to rule1 is n because !y are   
mo/ likely to be 9 !  "r1 nor because   
?is seems faire/ to ! m9ority1 b because
 !y  are physically ! /ronge/4 ,b a     

gov]nm5t 9 :i* ! majority  rule 9 all   
cases c n be bas$ on ju/ice1 ev5 z f> z 
m5  und]/& x4 ,c !re n be a gov]nm5t 9  
:i* ! majorities d  n virtually decide  
"r & wrong1 b consci5ce8--9 :i*         
majorities decide only ^? que/ions to   
:i* ! rule ( exp$i5cy  is applicable8   
,mu/ ! citiz5 ev] = a mom5t1 or 9 ! lea/
  degree1 resign 8 consci5ce to !       
legislator8 ,:y has e man a  consci5ce1 
!n8 ,i ?9k t we %\ld be m5 fir/1 &      
subjects  aft]w>d4 ,x is n desirable to 
cultivate a respect = ! law1 s  mu* z = 
! "r4 ,! only obligation :i* ,i h a "r  
to  assume1 is to d at any "t :at ,i ?9k
 "r4 ,x is truly en\gh  said t a        
corporation has no consci5ce2 b a       
corporation (  consci5ti\s m5 is a      
corporation ) a consci5ce4 ,law nev]    
made  m5 a :it m j2 &1 by means ( _!    
respect = x1 ev5 !  well-dispos$ are    
daily made ! ag5ts ( inju/ice4 ,a common
 &  natural result ( an undue respect = 
! law is1 t y may see a  file ( soldi]s1
 colonel1 capta91 corporal1 privates1   

p[d]-monkeys  & all1 m>*+ 9 admirable   
ord] ov] hill & dale to ! w>s1  aga9/ _!
 wills1 aye1 aga9/ _! common s5se &     
consci5ces1  :i* makes x v /eep m>*+    
inde$1 & produces a palpitation  ( !    
he>t4 ,!y h no d\bt t x is a damnable   
bus9ess 9  :i* !y are conc]n$2 !y are   
all peaceably incl9$4 ,n[1 :at  are !y8 
,m5 at all8 or small movable =ts &      
magaz9es1 at !  s]vice ( "s unscrupul\s 
man 9 p[]8 ,visit ! ,navy ,y>d1 &       
behold a m>9e1 su* a man z an ,am]ican  
gov]nm5t c make1 or su*  z x c make a   
man ) its black arts1 a m]e %ad[ &      
rem9isc5ce ( humanity1 a man laid out   
alive & /&+1 &  already1 z "o may say1  
buri$ "u arms ) fun]al accompanim5t1    
?\gh x may be      8,n a drum 0 he>d1 n 
a fun]al note1      ,z 8 corpse to !    
ramp>ts we hurri$2    ,n a soldi]       
dis*>g$ 8 f>ewell %ot      ,o'er ! grave
 :]e our h]o we buri$40    ,! mass ( m5 
s]ve ! ,/ate ?us1 n z m5 ma9ly1 b z     
ma*9es1 ) _! bodies4 ,!y are ! /&+ army1
 & !  militia1 jail]s1 con/ables1 posse 

comitatus1 c4 ,9 mo/ cases  !re is no   
free ex]cise :atev] ( ! judgm5t or ( !  
moral  s5se2 b !y put !mselves on a     
level ) wood & e>? &  /ones2 & wood5 m5 
c p]haps be manufactur$ t w s]ve !      
purpose z well4 ,su* comm& no m respect 
?an m5 ( /raw1 or a  lump ( dirt4 ,!y h 
! same sort ( wor? only z horses & dogs4
  ,yet su* z ^! ev5 are commonly e/eem$ 
good citiz5s4 ,o!rs1 z  mo/ legislators1
 politicians1 lawy]s1 m9i/]s1 &         
(fice-hold]s1  s]ve ! /ate *iefly ) _!  
heads2 &1 z !y r>ely make any  moral    
di/9ctions1 !y are z likely to s]ve !   
devil1 )\t  int5d+ x1 z ,god4 ,a v few1 
z h]oes1 patriots1 m>tyrs1  re=m]s 9 !  
great s5se1 & m51 s]ve ! ,/ate ) _!     
consci5ces also1 & s necess>ily resi/ x 
= ! mo/ "p2 &  !y are commonly treat$ by
 x z enemies4 ,a wise man w only be     
useful z a man1 & w n submit to be      
8clay10 & 8/op a hole to  keep ! w9d    
away10 b leave t (fice to 8 du/ at lea/3
      8,i am too high-born to be        
prop]ti$1    ,to be a second>y at       

control1    ,or useful s]v+-man &       
in/rum5t    ,to any sov]eign /ate       
?r\gh\t ! _w40    ,he :o gives himself  
entirely to 8 fell[-m5 appe>s to !m     
useless  & selfi%2 b he :o gives himself
 p>tially to !m is pron\nc$ a  b5efactor
 & philan?ropi/4    ,h[ does x become a 
man to behave t[>d ! ,am]ican gov]nm5t  
today8 ,i answ] t he _c )\t disgrace be 
associat$ ) x4  ,i _c = an in/ant       
recognize t political organization z my 
gov]nm5t :i* is ! slave's gov]nm5t also4
    ,all m5 recognize ! "r ( revolution2
 t is1 ! "r to refuse  allegiance to &  
to resi/ ! gov]nm5t1 :5 its tyranny or  
its  ineffici5cy are great & un5durable4
 ,b almo/ all say t su* is  n ! case n[4
 ,b su* 0 ! case1 !y ?9k1 9 !           
,revolution  ( '#ge4 ,if "o 7 to tell me
 t ?is 0 a bad gov]nm5t because  x tax$ 
c]ta9 =eign commodities br\ght to its   
ports1 x is mo/  probable t ,i %\ld n   
make an ado ab\t x1 = ,i c d )\t  !m3   
all ma*9es h _! friction2 & possibly ?is
 does en\gh  good to c\nt]-balance !    

evil4 ,at any rate1 x is a great evil to
  make a /ir ab\t x4 ,b :5 ! friction   
comes to h its ma*9e1  & oppression &   
robb]y are organiz$1 ,i say1 let u n h  
su* a  ma*9e any long]4 ,9 o!r words1 :5
 a six? ( ! population ( a  nation :i*  
has und]tak5 to be ! refuge ( lib]ty are
 slaves1 &  a :ole c\ntry is unju/ly    
ov]run & conqu]$ by a =eign army1  &    
subject$ to milit>y law1 ,i ?9k t x is n
 too soon =  hone/ m5 to rebel &        
revolutionize4 ,:at makes ?is duty ! m  
urg5t is t fact1 t ! c\ntry s ov]run is 
n our own1 b  ours is ! invad+ army4    
,paley1 a common au?ority ) _m on moral 
que/ions1 9 8 *apt]  on ! 8,duty (      
,submission to ,civil ,gov]nm5t10       
resolves all civil  obligation into     
exp$i5cy2 & he proce$s to say1 8t s long
 z  ! int]e/ ( ! :ole society requires  
x1 t is1 s long z !  e/abli%$ gov]nm5t  
_c be resi/$ or *ang$ )\t public        
inconv5i5cy1 x is ! w ( ,god t !        
e/abli%$ gov]nm5t be  obey$1 & no       
long]40--8,?is pr9ciple be+ admitt$1 !  

ju/ice (  e p>ticul> case ( resi/ance is
 r$uc$ to a computation ( !  quantity ( 
! dang] & grievance on ! "o side1 & ( ! 
probability & exp5se ( r$ress+ x on !   
o!r40 ,( ?is1 he  says1 e man %all judge
 = himself4 ,b ,paley appe>s nev] to  h 
contemplat$ ^? cases to :i* ! rule (    
exp$i5cy does n  apply1 9 :i* a p1 z    
well z an individual1 mu/ d ju/ice1  co/
 :at x may4 ,if ,i h unju/ly wre/$ a    
plank f a dr[n+  man1 ,i mu/ re/ore x to
 him ?\gh ,i dr[n myself4 ,?is1 accord+ 
to  ,paley1 w\ld be inconv5i5t4 ,b he t 
w\ld save 8 life1 9 su*  a case1 %all   
lose x4 ,?is p mu/ cease to hold slaves1
 & to  make w> on ,mexico1 ?\gh x co/ !m
 _! exi/5ce z a p4    ,9 _! practice1   
nations agree ) ,paley2 b does anyone   
?9k t  ,massa*usetts does exactly :at is
 "r at ! pres5t crisis8      8,a drab ( 
/ate1 a clo?-o'-silv] slut1    ,to h h] 
tra9 borne up1 & h] s\l trail 9 ! dirt40
    ,practically speak+1 ! oppon5ts to a
 re=m 9 ,massa*usetts are  n a hundr$   
?\s& politicians at ! ,s\?1 b a hundr$  

?\s&  m]*ants & f>m]s "h1 :o are m      
int]e/$ 9 comm]ce &  agriculture ?an !y 
are 9 humanity1 & are n prep>$ to d     
ju/ice to ! slave & to ,mexico1 co/ :at 
x may4 ,i qu>rel n  ) f>-(f foes1 b ) ^?
 :o1 ne> at home1 co-op]ate )1  & d !   
bidd+ ( ^? f> away1 & )\t :om ! latt]   
w\ld  be h>mless4 ,we are accu/om$ to   
say1 t ! mass ( m5 are  unprep>$2 b     
improvem5t is sl[1 because ! few are n  
mat]ially  wis] or bett] ?an ! _m4 ,x is
 n s important t _m %\ld  be z good z y1
 z t !re be "s absolute goodness        
some:]e2  = t w leav5 ! :ole lump4 ,!re 
are ?\s&s :o are 9  op9ion oppos$ to    
slav]y & to ! w>1 :o yet 9 effect d     
no?+ to put an end to !m2 :o1 e/eem+    
!mselves *ildr5 (  ,wa%+ton & ,frankl91 
sit d[n ) _! h&s 9 _! pockets1  & say t 
!y "k n :at to d1 & d no?+2 :o ev5      
po/pone ! "q ( fre$om to ! "q (         
free-trade1 &  quietly read !           
prices-curr5t along ) ! late/ advices f 
,mexico1 aft] d9n]1 &1 x may be1 fall   
asleep ov] !m bo?4 ,:at  is !           

price-curr5t ( an hone/ man & patriot   
today8 ,!y hesitate1  & !y regret1 &    
sometimes !y petition2 b !y d no?+ 9    
e>ne/ & ) effect4 ,!y w wait1 well      
dispos$1 = o!rs to  rem$y ! evil1 t !y  
may no long] h x to regret4 ,at mo/1  !y
 give only a *eap vote1 & a feeble      
c\nt5ance & ,godspe$1 to  ! "r1 z x goes
 by !m4 ,!re are n9e hundr$ & n9ety-n9e 
patrons ( virtue to "o virtu\s man2 b x 
is easi] to deal )  ! real possessor ( a
 ?+ ?an ) ! tempor>y gu>dian ( x4       
,all vot+ is a sort ( gam+1 l *equ]s or 
backgammon1 ) a  slight moral t+e to x1 
a play+ ) "r & wrong1 ) moral  que/ions2
 & bett+ naturally accompanies x4 ,! "* 
( !  vot]s is n /ak$4 ,i ca/ my vote1   
p]*ance1 z ,i ?9k "r2 b  ,i am n vitally
 conc]n$ t t "r %\ld prevail4 ,i am     
will+  to leave x to ! majority4 ,its   
obligation1 !re=e1 nev] exce$s  t (     
exp$i5cy4 ,ev5 vot+ = ! "r is do+ no?+ =
  x4 ,x is only express+ to m5 feebly   
y\r desire t x %\ld  prevail4 ,a wise   
man w n leave ! "r to ! m]cy ( *ance1   

nor wi% x to prevail ?r\gh ! p[] ( !    
majority4 ,!re is b  little virtue 9 !  
action ( masses ( m54 ,:5 ! majority    
%all  at l5g? vote = ! abolition (      
slav]y1 x w be because !y  are indiff]5t
 to slav]y1 or because !re is b little  
slav]y left  to be aboli%$ by _! vote4  
,!y w !n be ! only slaves4  ,only 8 vote
 c ha/5 ! abolition ( slav]y :o ass]ts 8
 own  fre$om by 8 vote4    ,i he> ( a   
conv5tion to be held at ,baltimore1 or  
else:]e1 = !  selection ( a c&idate = ! 
,presid5cy1 made up *iefly (  editors1 &
 m5 :o are politicians by pr(ession2 b  
,i ?9k1 :at  is x to any indep5d5t1     
intellig5t1 & respectable man :at       
decision !y may come to1 %all we n h !  
advantage ( 8  wisdom & hone/y1         
nev]!less8 ,c we n c\nt ^u "s  indep5d5t
 votes8 ,are !re n _m individuals 9 !   
c\ntry :o d  n att5d conv5tions8 ,b no3 
,i f9d t ! respectable man1 s  call$1   
has imm$iately drift$ f 8 position1 &   
despairs ( 8  c\ntry1 :5 8 c\ntry has m 
reasons to despair ( him4 ,he  =?)      

adopts "o ( ! c&idates ?us select$ z !  
only  available "o1 ?us prov+ t he is   
himself available = any  purposes ( !   
demagogue4 ,8 vote is ( no m wor? ?an t 
(  any unpr9cipl$ =eign] or hirel+      
native1 :o may h be5  b\ght4 ,oh = a man
 :o is a man1 &1 z my neighbor says1 has
 a  bone 9 8 back :i* y _c pass y\r h&  
?r\gh6 ,our  /ati/ics are at fault3 !   
population has be5 return$ too l>ge4    
,h[ _m m5 are !re to a squ>e ?\s& miles 
9 ! c\ntry8  ,h>dly "o4 ,does n ,am]ica 
(f] any inducem5t = m5 to settle  "h8 ,!
 ,am]ican has dw9dl$ into an ,odd       
,fell[1--"o :o may be  kn[n by !        
developm5t ( 8 organ ( greg>i\sness1 & a
 manife/  lack ( intellect & *e]ful     
self-reliance2 ^: fir/ & *ief  conc]n1  
on com+ into ! _w1 is to see t !        
alms-h\ses are  9 good repair2 &1 be=e  
yet he has lawfully donn$ ! virile g>b1 
to collect a fund = ! support ( ! wid[s 
& orphans t may  be2 :o1 9 %ort1 v5tures
 to live only by ! aid ( ! ,mutual      
,insurance company1 :i* has promis$ to  

bury him dec5tly4    ,x is n a man's    
duty1 z a matt] ( c\rse1 to devote      
himself to !  eradication ( any1 ev5 !  
mo/ enorm\s wrong2 he may /ill prop]ly  
h o!r conc]ns to engage him2 b x is 8   
duty1 at lea/1 to  wa% 8 h&s ( x1 &1 if 
he gives x no ?\ght long]1 n to  give x 
practically 8 support4 ,if ,i devote    
myself to o!r pursuits  &               
contemplations1 ,i mu/ fir/ see1 at     
lea/1 t ,i d n pursue  !m sitt+ ^u ano!r
 man's %\ld]s4 ,i mu/ get (f him fir/1  
t he may pursue 8 contemplations too4   
,see :at gross inconsi/5cy  is tol]at$4 
,i h he>d "s ( my t[nsm5 say1 8,i %\ld l
 to  h !m ord] me out to help put d[n an
 insurrection ( ! slaves1  or to m>* to 
,mexico1--see if ,i w\ld g20 & yet ^! v 
m5 h  ea*1 directly by _! allegiance1 & 
s indirectly1 at lea/1 by  _! money1    
furni%$ a sub/itute4 ,! soldi] is       
applaud$ :o  refuses to s]ve 9 an unju/ 
w> by ^? :o d n refuse to su/a9  ! unju/
 gov]nm5t :i* makes ! w>2 is applaud$ by
 ^? ^:  own act & au?ority he disreg>ds 

& sets at naught2 z if ! ,/ate  7 p5it5t
 to t degree t x hir$ "o to sc\rge x    
:ile x  s9n$1 b n to t degree t x left  
(f s9n+ = a mom5t4  ,?us1 "u ! "n (     
,ord] & ,civil ,gov]nm5t1 we are all    
made at  la/ to pay homage to & support 
our own meanness4 ,aft] ! fir/  blu% (  
s91 comes its indiff]5ce2 & f immoral x 
becomes1 z  x 71 unmoral1 & n q         
unnecess>y to t life :i* we  h made4    
,! broade/ & mo/ preval5t error requires
 ! mo/ dis9t]e/$  virtue to su/a9 x4 ,! 
slight reproa* to :i* ! virtue (        
patriotism is commonly liable1 ! noble  
are mo/ likely to incur4  ,^? :o1 :ile  
!y disapprove ( ! "* & measures ( a     
gov]nm5t1 yield to x _! allegiance &    
support1 are und\bt$ly  its mo/         
consci5ti\s support]s1 & s frequ5tly !  
mo/ s]i\s  ob/acles to re=m4 ,"s are    
petition+ ! ,/ate to dissolve !  ,union1
 to disreg>d ! requisitions ( !         
,presid5t4 ,:y d !y n  dissolve x       
!mselves1--! union betwe5 !mselves & !  
,/ate1--&  refuse to pay _! quota into  

its treasury8 ,d n !y /& 9 same         
relation to ! ,/ate1 t ! ,/ate does to !
 ,union8 ,& h n  ! same reasons prev5t$ 
! ,/ate f resi/+ ! ,union1 :i*  h       
prev5t$ !m f resi/+ ! ,/ate8    ,h[ c a 
man be satisfi$ to ent]ta9 an op9ion    
m]ely1 & enjoy  x8 ,is !re any enjoym5t 
9 x1 if 8 op9ion is t he is  aggriev$8  
,if y are *eat$ out ( a s+le doll> by   
y\r neighbor1  y d n re/ satisfi$ ) kn[+
 y are *eat$1 or ) say+  t y are *eat$1 
or ev5 ) petition+ him to pay y y\r due2
  b y take effectual /eps at once to    
obta9 ! full am\nt1 & see  t y are nev] 
*eat$ aga94 ,action f pr9ciple1--!      
p]ception  & ! p]=mance ( "r1--*anges   
?+s & relations2 x is  ess5tially       
revolution>y1 & does n consi/ :olly )   
any?+  :i* 04 ,x n only divid$ /ates &  
*ur*es1 x divides  families2 aye1 x     
divides ! individual1 sep>at+ !         
diabolical  9 him f ! div9e4    ,unju/  
laws exi/3 %all we be cont5t to obey !m1
 or %all we  endeavor to am5d !m1 & obey
 !m until we h succe$$1 or %all  we     

transgress !m at once8 ,m5 g5]ally1 "u  
su* a gov]nm5t z  ?is1 ?9k t !y ought to
 wait until !y h p]suad$ !  majority to 
alt] !m4 ,!y ?9k t1 if !y %\ld resi/1 ! 
rem$y w\ld be worse ?an ! evil4 ,b x is 
! fault ( !  gov]nm5t itself t ! rem$y  
is worse ?an ! evil4 ,x makes  x worse4 
,:y is x n m apt to anticipate & provide
 = re=m8  ,:y does x n *]i% its wise    
m9ority8 ,:y does x cry & resi/  be=e x 
is hurt8 ,:y does x n enc\rage its      
citiz5s to be on !  al]t to po9t out its
 faults1 & d bett] ?an x w\ld h !m8  ,:y
 does x always crucify ,*ri/1 &         
excommunicate ,cop]nicus &  ,lu!r1 &    
pron\nce ,wa%+ton & ,frankl9 rebels8    
,"o w\ld ?9k1 t a delib]ate & practical 
d5ial ( its  au?ority 0 ! only (f5ce    
nev] contemplat$ by gov]nm5t2 else1  :y 
has x n assign$ its def9ite1 its        
suitable & proportionate  p5alty8 ,if a 
man :o has no prop]ty refuses b once to 
e>n n9e  %ill+s = ! ,/ate1 he is put 9  
prison = a p]iod unlimit$ by  any law t 
,i "k1 & det]m9$ only by ! discretion ( 

^? :o  plac$ him !re2 b if he %\ld /eal 
n9ety times n9e %ill+s  f ! ,/ate1 he is
 soon p]mitt$ to g at l>ge aga94    ,if 
! inju/ice is "p ( ! necess>y friction (
 ! ma*9e (  gov]nm5t1 let x g1 let x g3 
p]*ance x w we>  smoo?1--c]ta9ly ! ma*9e
 w we> out4 ,if ! inju/ice has a  spr+1 
or a pulley1 or a rope1 or a crank1     
exclusively = itself1  !n p]haps y may  
consid] :e!r ! rem$y w n be worse ?an  !
 evil2 b if x is ( su* a nature t x     
requires y to be !  ag5t ( inju/ice to  
ano!r1 !n1 ,i say1 break ! law4 ,let y\r
  life be a c\nt] friction to /op !     
ma*9e4 ,:at ,i h to d is to  see1 at any
 rate1 t ,i d n l5d myself to ! wrong   
:i* ,i  condemn4    ,z = adopt+ ! ways  
:i* ! ,/ate has provid$ = rem$y+ !      
evil1 ,i "k n ( su* ways4 ,!y take too  
mu* "t1 & a man's  life w be gone4 ,i h 
o!r affairs to att5d to4 ,i came into   
?is  _w1 n *iefly to make ?is a good    
place to live 91 b to live 9  x1 be x   
good or bad4 ,a man has n e ?+ to d1 b  
some?+2  & because he _c d e ?+1 x is n 

necess>y t he  %\ld d some?+ wrong4 ,x  
is n my bus9ess to be petition+  !      
,gov]nor or ! ,legislature any m ?an x  
is !irs to petition  me2 &1 if !y %\ld n
 he> my petition1 :at %\ld ,i d !n8  ,b 
9 ?is case ! ,/ate has provid$ no way3  
its v ,con/itution  is ! evil4 ,?is may 
seem to be h>% & /ubborn &              
unconcilliatory2 b x is to treat ) !    
utmo/ k9dness &  consid]ation ! only _s 
t c appreciate or des]ves x4 ,s is  all 
*ange = ! bett]1 l bir? & dea? :i*      
convulse !  body4    ,i d n hesitate to 
say1 t ^? :o call !mselves abolitioni/s 
%\ld at once effectually )draw _!       
support1 bo? 9 p]son &  prop]ty1 f !    
gov]nm5t ( ,massa*usetts1 & n wait till 
!y  con/itute a majority ( "o1 be=e !y  
suff] ! "r to prevail  ?r\gh !m4 ,i ?9k 
t x is en\gh if !y h ,god on _! side1   
)\t wait+ = t o!r "o4 ,moreov]1 any man 
m "r ?an  8 neighbors con/itutes a      
majority ( "o already4    ,i meet ?is   
,am]ican gov]nm5t1 or its repres5tative1
 ! ,/ate  gov]nm5t1 directly1 & face to 

face1 once a ye>1 no m1 9 !  p]son ( its
 tax-ga!r]2 ?is is ! only mode 9 :i* a  
man  situat$ z ,i am necess>ily meets x2
 & x !n says di/9ctly1  ,recognize me2 &
 ! simple/1 ! mo/ effectual1 &1 9 !     
pres5t  po/ure ( affairs1 !             
indisp5sable/ mode ( treat+ ) x on  ?is 
head1 ( express+ y\r little satisfaction
 ) & love = x1  is to d5y x !n4 ,my     
civil neighbor1 ! tax-ga!r]1 is ! v  man
 ,i h to deal )1--= x is1 aft] all1 ) m5
 & n )  p>*m5t t ,i qu>rel1--& he has   
volunt>ily *os5 to be an ag5t  ( !      
gov]nm5t4 ,h[ %all he ev] "k well :at he
 is & does z  an (fic] ( ! gov]nm5t1 or 
z a man1 until he is oblig$ to  consid] 
:e!r he %all treat me1 8 neighbor1 = :om
 he has  respect1 z a neighbor &        
well-dispos$ man1 or z a maniac &       
di/urb] ( ! peace1 & see if he c get ov]
 ?is ob/ruction to  8 neighborl9ess )\t 
a rud] & m impetu\s ?\ght or spee*      
correspond+ ) 8 action8 ,i "k ?is well1 
t if "o ?\s&1  if "o hundr$1 if t5 m5   
:om ,i c\ld "n1--if t5 hone/ m5         

only1--aye1 if "o ,,hone/ man1 9 ?is    
,/ate ( ,massa*usetts1  ceas+ to hold   
slaves1 7 actually to )draw f ?is       
cop>tn]%ip1 & be lock$ up 9 ! c\nty jail
 !re=1 x w\ld  be ! abolition ( slav]y 9
 ,am]ica4 ,= x matt]s n h[ small  !     
beg9n+ may seem to be3 :at is once well 
done is done = ev]4  ,b we love bett] to
 talk ab\t x3 t we say is our mission4  
,re=m  keeps _m scores ( newspap]s 9 its
 s]vice1 b n "o man4 ,if my  e/eem$     
neighbor1 ! ,/ate's ambassador1 :o w    
devote 8 days to  ! settlem5t ( ! "q (  
human rights 9 ! ,c\ncil ,*amb]1  in/ead
 ( be+ ?reat5$ ) ! prisons ( ,c>ol9a1 7 
to sit  d[n ! prison] ( ,massa*usetts1 t
 ,/ate :i* is s anxi\s to  foi/ ! s9 (  
slav]y ^u h] si/]1--?\gh at pres5t %e c 
discov] only an act ( inhospitality to  
be ! gr\nd ( a qu>rel  ) h]1--!         
,legislature w\ld n :olly waive !       
subject ( !  foll[+ w9t]4    ,"u a      
gov]nm5t :i* imprisons any unju/ly1 !   
true place = a  j man is also a prison4 
,! prop] place today1 ! only place :i*  

,massa*usetts has provid$ = h] fre] &   
less despond+ spirits1  is 9 h] prisons1
 to be put out & lock$ out ( ! ,/ate by 
h] own  act1 z !y h already put !mselves
 out by _! pr9ciples4 ,x is  !re t !    
fugitive slave1 & ! ,mexican prison] on 
p>ole1 &  ! ,indian come to plead !     
wrongs ( 8 race1 %\ld f9d !m2 on  t     
sep>ate1 b m free & honorable gr\nd1 :]e
 ! ,/ate  places ^? :o are n ) h] b     
aga9/ h]1--! only h\se  9 a slave-/ate 9
 :i* a free man c abide ) honor4 ,if any
 ?9k  t _! influ5ce w\ld be lo/ !re1 &  
_! voices no long]  afflict ! e> ( !    
,/ate1 t !y w\ld n be z an enemy )9  its
 walls1 !y d n "k by h[ mu* tru? is     
/rong] ?an error1  nor h[ mu* m         
eloqu5tly & effectively he c combat     
inju/ice  :o has exp]i5c$ a little 9 8  
own p]son4 ,ca/ y\r :ole vote1  n a /rip
 ( pap] m]ely1 b y\r :ole influ5ce4 ,a  
m9ority is  p[]less :ile x con=ms to !  
majority2 x is n ev5 a m9ority  !n2 b x 
is irresi/ible :5 x clogs by its :ole   
weight4 ,if !  alt]native is to keep all

 j m5 9 prison1 or give up w> &  slav]y1
 ! ,/ate w n hesitate :i* to *oose4 ,if 
a ?\s& m5  7 n to pay _! tax-bills ?is  
ye>1 t w\ld n be a viol5t  & bloody     
measure1 z x w\ld be to pay !m1 & enable
 ! ,/ate to  commit viol5ce & %$ innoc5t
 blood4 ,?is is1 9 fact1 !  def9ition ( 
a peaceable revolution1 if any su* is   
possible4 ,if !  tax-ga!r]1 or any o!r  
public (fic]1 asks me1 z "o has done1   
8,b :at %all ,i d80 my answ] is1 8,if y 
really wi% to d any  ?+1 resign y\r     
(fice40 ,:5 ! subject has refus$        
allegiance1  & ! (fic] has resign$ 8    
(fice1 !n ! revolution is  accompli%$4  
,b ev5 suppose blood %\ld fl[4 ,is !re n
 a sort  ( blood %$ :5 ! consci5ce is   
w\nd$8 ,?r\gh ?is w\nd a  man's real    
manhood & immortality fl[ out1 & he     
ble$s to an  ev]la/+ dea?4 ,i see ?is   
blood fl[+ n[4    ,i h contemplat$ !    
imprisonm5t ( ! (f5d]1 r ?an !  seizure 
( 8 goods1--?\gh bo? w s]ve ! same      
purpose1--because  !y :o ass]t ! pure/  
"r1 & consequ5tly are mo/ dang]\s  to a 

corrupt ,/ate1 commonly h n sp5t mu* "t 
9 accumulat+  prop]ty4 ,to su* ! ,/ate  
r5d]s comp>atively small s]vice1 & a    
slight tax is wont to appe> exorbitant1 
p>ticul>ly if !y are  oblig$ to e>n x by
 special labor ) _! h&s4 ,if !re 7 "o   
:o liv$ :olly )\t ! use ( money1 ! ,/ate
 itself w\ld  hesitate to dem& x ( him4 
,b ! ri* man--n to make any  invidi\s   
comp>ison--is always sold to !          
in/itution :i* makes him  ri*4          
,absolutely speak+1 ! m money1 ! less   
virtue2 = money  comes betwe5 a man & 8 
objects1 & obta9s !m = him2 x 0  c]ta9ly
 no great virtue to obta9 x4 ,x puts to 
re/ _m que/ions  :i* he w\ld o!rwise be 
tax$ to answ]2 :ile ! only new  "q :i* x
 puts is ! h>d b sup]flu\s "o1 h[ to    
sp5d  x4 ,?us 8 moral gr\nd is tak5 f "u
 8 feet4 ,!  opportunities ( liv+ are   
dim9i%$ 9 proportion z :at are call$  ! 
8means0 are increas$4 ,! be/ ?+ a man c 
d = 8 culture  :5 he is ri* is to       
endeavor to c>ry out ^? s*emes :i* he   
ent]ta9$ :5 he 0 poor4 ,*ri/ answ]$ !   

,h]odians accord+  to _! condition4 8,%[
 me ! tribute-money10 said he2--& "o    
took  a p5ny out ( 8 pocket2--if y use  
money :i* has ! image (  ,cs> on x1 &   
:i* he has made curr5t & valuable1 t is1
 if  y are m5 ( ! ,/ate1 & gladly enjoy 
! advantages ( ,cs>'s  gov]nm5t1 !n pay 
him back "s ( 8 own :5 he dem&s x2      
8,r5d] !re=e to ,cs> t :i* is ,cs>'s &  
to ,god ^?  ?+s :i* are ,god's10--leav+ 
!m no wis] ?an be=e z to :i*  0 :i*2 =  
!y did n wi% to "k4    ,:5 ,i conv]se ) 
! free/ ( my neighbors1 ,i p]ceive t1   
:atev] !y may say ab\t ! magnitude &    
s]i\sness ( !  "q1 & _! reg>d = ! public
 tranquillity1 ! long &  ! %ort ( !     
matt] is1 t !y _c sp>e ! protection (  !
 exi/+ gov]nm5t1 & !y dread !           
consequ5ces (  disob$i5ce to x to _!    
prop]ty & families4 ,= my own "p1 ,i    
%\ld n l to ?9k t ,i ev] rely on !      
protection ( !  ,/ate4 ,b1 if ,i d5y !  
au?ority ( ! ,/ate :5 x pres5ts its     
tax-bill1 x w soon take & wa/e all my   
prop]ty1 & s h>ass me  & my *ildr5 )\t  

end4 ,?is is h>d4 ,?is makes x          
impossible =  a man to live hone/ly & at
 ! same "t com=tably 9 outw>d  respects4
 ,x w n be wor? ! :ile to accumulate    
prop]ty2 t  w\ld be sure to g aga94 ,y  
mu/ hire or squat some:]e1 & raise  b a 
small crop1 & eat t soon4 ,y mu/ live )9
 y\rself1 &  dep5d ^u y\rself1 always   
tuck$ up & ready = a />t1 & n  h _m     
affairs4 ,a man may gr[ ri* 9 ,turkey   
ev51 if he w be 9  all respects a good  
subject ( ! ,turki% gov]nm5t4 ,confucius
  said1--8,if a ,/ate is gov]n$ by !    
pr9ciples ( reason1 pov]ty &  mis]y are 
subjects ( %ame2 if a ,/ate is n gov]n$ 
by !  pr9ciples ( reason1 ri*es & honors
 are ! subjects ( %ame40 ,no3  until ,i 
want ! protection ( ,massa*usetts to be 
ext5d$ to me 9  "s di/ant s\!rn port1   
:]e my lib]ty is endang]$1 or until ,i  
am b5t solely on build+ up an e/ate at  
home by peaceful ent]prise1  ,i c af=d  
to refuse allegiance to ,massa*usetts1 &
 h] "r to my  prop]ty & life4 ,x co/s me
 less 9 e s5se to incur ! p5alty  (     

disob$i5ce to ! ,/ate1 ?an x w\ld to    
obey4 ,i %\ld feel z  if ,i 7 wor? less 
9 t case4    ,"s ye>s ago1 ! ,/ate met  
me 9 behalf ( ! *ur*1 & comm&$  me to   
pay a c]ta9 sum t[>d ! support ( a      
cl]gyman ^:  prea*+ my fa!r att5d$1 b   
nev] ,i myself4 8,pay x10 x said1  8or  
be lock$ up 9 ! jail40 ,i decl9$ to pay4
 ,b1 un=tunately1  ano!r man saw fit to 
pay x4 ,i did n see :y ! s*oolma/]  %\ld
 be tax$ to support ! prie/1 & n ! prie/
 !  s*oolma/]2 = ,i 0 n ! ,/ate's       
s*oolma/]1 b ,i support$  myself by     
volunt>y subscription4 ,i did n see :y !
 lyceum %\ld  n pres5t its tax-bill1 & h
 ! ,/ate to back its dem&1 z  well z !  
*ur*4 ,h[ev]1 at ! reque/ ( ! selectm51 
,i  condesc5d$ to make "s su* /atem5t z 
?is 9 writ+3--8,"k all  m5 by ^!        
pres5ts1 t ,i1 ,h5ry ,?oreau1 d n wi% to
 be  reg>d$ z a memb] ( any incorporat$ 
society :i* ,i h n  jo9$40 ,?is ,i gave 
to ! t[n-cl]k2 & he has x4 ,! ,/ate1    
hav+ ?us le>n$ t ,i did n wi% to be     
reg>d$ z a memb] (  t *ur*1 has nev]    

made a l dem& on me s9ce2 ?\gh x said  t
 x mu/ adh]e to its orig9al presumption 
t "t4 ,if ,i _h  kn[n h[ to "n !m1 ,i   
%\ld !n h sign$ (f 9 detail f  all !    
societies :i* ,i nev] sign$ on to2 b ,i 
did n "k :]e  to f9d su* a complete li/4
    ,i h paid no poll-tax = six ye>s4 ,i
 0 put into a jail once on  ?is acc\nt1 
= "o night2 &1 z ,i /ood consid]+ !     
walls (  solid /one1 two or ?ree feet   
?ick1 ! door ( wood & iron1 a foot      
?ick1 & ! iron grat+ :i* /ra9$ ! light1 
,i c\ld n help  be+ /ruck ) ! fooli%ness
 ( t in/itution :i* treat$ me  z if ,i 7
 m]e fle% & blood & bones1 to be lock$  
up4 ,i  wond]$ t x %\ld h conclud$ at   
l5g? t ?is 0 ! be/  use x c\ld put me   
to1 & _h nev] ?\ght to avail itself ( my
  s]vices 9 "s way4 ,i saw t1 if !re 0 a
 wall ( /one betwe5  me & my t[nsm51 !re
 0 a /ill m difficult "o to climb or    
break ?r\gh1 be=e !y c\ld get to be z   
free z ,i 04 ,i did nor  = a mom5t feel 
conf9$1 & ! walls seem$ a great wa/e (  
/one  & mort>4 ,i felt z if ,i alone (  

all my t[nsm5 _h paid my tax4  ,!y      
pla9ly did n "k h[ to treat me1 b behav$
 l p]sons :o  are und]br$4 ,9 e ?reat & 
9 e complim5t !re 0 a  blund]2 = !y     
?\ght t my *ief desire 0 to /& ! o!r    
side ( t /one wall4 ,i c\ld n b smile to
 see h[ indu/ri\sly  !y lock$ ! door on 
my m$itations1 :i* foll[$ !m out aga9   
)\t let or h9drance1 & !y 7 really all t
 0  dang]\s4 ,z !y c\ld n rea* me1 !y _h
 resolv$ to puni% my  body2 j z boys1 if
 !y _c come at "s p]son aga9/ :om  !y h 
a spite1 w abuse 8 dog4 ,i saw t ! ,/ate
 0  half-witt$1 t x 0 timid z a lone    
woman ) h] silv] spoons1  & t x did n "k
 its fri5ds f its foes1 & ,i lo/ all my 
rema9+ respect = x1 & piti$ x4    ,?us !
 /ate nev] int5tionally confronts a     
man's s5se1  intellectual or moral1 b   
only 8 body1 8 s5ses4 ,x is n arm$  )   
sup]ior wit or hone/y1 b ) sup]ior      
physical /r5g?4 ,i  0 n born to be =c$4 
,i w brea! aft] my own fa%ion4 ,let u   
see :o is ! /ronge/4 ,:at =ce has a     
multitude8 ,!y only c  =ce me :o obey a 

high] law ?an ,i4 ,!y =ce me to become l
  !mselves4 ,i d n he> ( m5 be+ =c$ to  
live ?is way or  t by masses ( m54 ,:at 
sort ( life 7 t to live8 ,:5 ,i meet  a 
gov]nm5t :i* says to me1 8,y\r money or 
y\r life10 :y %\ld ,i  be 9 ha/e to give
 x my money8 ,x may be 9 a great /rait1 
& n  "k :at to d3 ,i _c help t4 ,x mu/  
help itself2 d z ,i d4  ,x is n wor? !  
:ile to snivel ab\t x4 ,i am n          
responsible =  ! successful work+ ( !   
ma*9]y ( society4 ,i am n ! son (  !    
eng9e]4 ,i p]ceive t1 :5 an acorn & a   
*e/nut fall side  by side1 ! "o does n  
rema9 in]t to make way = ! o!r1 b  bo?  
obey _! own laws1 & spr+ & gr[ & fl\ri% 
z be/ !y  c1 till "o1 p]*ance1 ov]%ad[s 
& de/roys ! o!r4 ,if a  plant _c live   
accord+ to its nature1 x dies2 & s a    
man4        ,! night 9 prison 0 novel & 
int]e/+ en\gh4 ,! prison]s 9  _!        
%irt-sleeves 7 enjoy+ a *at & ! ev5+ air
 9 !  door-way1 :5 ,i ent]$4 ,b ! jail] 
said1 8,come1 boys1 x is "t  to lock    
up20 & s !y disp]s$1 & ,i he>d ! s\nd ( 

_!  /eps return+ into ! holl[ ap>tm5ts4 
,my room-mate 0 introduc$  to me by !   
jail] z 8a fir/-rate fell[ & a clev]    
man40 ,:5 !  door 0 lock$1 he %[$ me :]e
 to hang my hat1 & h[ he manag$  matt]s 
!re4 ,! rooms 7 :itewa%$ once a mon?2 & 
?is "o1  at lea/1 0 ! :ite/1 mo/ simply 
furni%$1 & probably !  neate/ ap>tm5t 9 
t[n4 ,he naturally want$ to "k :]e ,i   
came  f1 & :at br\ght me !re2 &1 :5 ,i  
_h told him1 ,i ask$ him  9 my turn h[  
he came !re1 presum+ him to be an hone/ 
man1 (  c\rse2 &1 z ! _w goes1 ,i       
believe he 04 8,:y10 said he1 8!y       
accuse me ( burn+ a b>n2 b ,i nev] did  
x40 ,z ne> z ,i c\ld  discov]1 he _h    
probably gone to b$ 9 a b>n :5 drunk1 & 
smok$  8 pipe !re2 & s a b>n 0 burnt4   
,he _h ! reputation ( be+  a clev] man1 
_h be5 !re "s ?ree mon?s wait+ = 8 trial
 to  come on1 & w\ld h to wait z mu*    
long]2 b he 0 q  dome/icat$ & cont5t$1  
s9ce he got 8 bo>d = no?+1 &  ?\ght t he
 0 well treat$4    ,he occupi$ "o w9d[1 
& ,i ! o!r2 & ,i saw1 t1 if "o /ay$  !re

 long1 8 pr9cipal bus9ess w\ld be to    
look out ! w9d[4 ,i  _h soon read all ! 
tracts t 7 left !re1 & exam9$ :]e  =m]  
prison]s _h brok5 out1 & :]e a grate _h 
be5 saw$ (f1  & he>d ! hi/ory ( ! v>i\s 
occupants ( t room2 = ,i  f\nd t ev5 "h 
!re 0 a hi/ory & a gossip :i* nev]      
circulat$ beyond ! walls ( ! jail4      
,probably ?is is ! only  h\se 9 ! t[n   
:]e v]ses are compos$1 :i* are aft]w>d  
pr9t$ 9 a circul> =m1 b n publi%$4 ,i 0 
%[n q a long  li/ ( v]ses :i* 7 compos$ 
by "s "y m5 :o _h be5  detect$ 9 an     
attempt to escape1 :o av5g$ !mselves by 
s++  !m4    ,i pump$ my fell[-prison] z 
dry z ,i c\ld1 = fe> ,i %\ld nev]  see  
him aga92 b at l5g? he %[$ me :i* 0 my  
b$1 & left me  to bl[ out ! lamp4    ,x 
0 l travell+ into a f> c\ntry1 su* z ,i 
_h nev] expect$  to behold1 to lie !re =
 "o night4 ,x seem$ to me t ,i nev] _h  
he>d ! t[n-clock /rike be=e1 nor ! ev5+ 
s\nds ( !  village2 = we slept ) ! w9d[s
 op51 :i* 7 inside !  grat+4 ,x 0 to see
 my native village 9 ! light ( ! ,middle

  ,ages1 & our ,concord 0 turn$ into a  
,rh9e /ream1 & visions (  knights &     
ca/les pass$ be=e me4 ,!y 7 ! voices (  
old  burgh]s t ,i he>d 9 ! /reets4 ,i 0 
an involunt>y spectator  & auditor (    
:atev] 0 done & said 9 ! kit*5 ( !      
adjac5t village-inn--a :olly new & r>e  
exp]i5ce to me4 ,x 0 a  clos] view ( my 
native t[n4 ,i 0 fairly inside ( x4 ,i  
nev] _h  se5 its in/itutions be=e4 ,?is 
is "o ( its peculi> in/itutions2  = x is
 a %ire t[n4 ,i began to compreh5d :at  
its inhabitants 7  ab\t4    ,9 ! morn+1 
our breakfa/s 7 put ?r\gh ! hole 9 !    
door1  9 small oblong-squ>e t9 pans1    
made to fit1 & hold+ a p9t (  *ocolate1 
) br[n bread1 & an iron spoon4 ,:5 !y   
call$ =  ! vessels aga91 ,i 0 gre5 en\gh
 to return :at bread ,i _h left2  b my  
comrade seiz$ x1 & said t ,i %\ld lay t 
up = lun*  or d9n]4 ,soon aft]1 he 0 let
 out to "w at hay+ 9 a  neighbor+ field1
 :i!r he w5t e day1 & w\ld n be back    
till noon2 s he bade me good-day1 say+ t
 he d\bt$ if he %\ld  see me aga94      

,:5 ,i came out ( prison1--= "s "o      
int]f]$1 & paid ! tax1--,i  did n       
p]ceive t great *anges _h tak5 place on 
! common1 su*  z he obs]v$ :o w5t 9 a   
y\?1 & em]g$ a gray-head$ man2 &  yet a 
*ange _h to my eyes come ov] ! sc5e1--! 
t[n1 & ,/ate1  & c\ntry1--great] ?an any
 t m]e "t c\ld effect4 ,i saw yet  m    
di/9ctly ! ,/ate 9 :i* ,i liv$4 ,i saw  
to :at ext5t !  p among :om ,i liv$ c\ld
 be tru/$ z good neighbors &  fri5ds2 t 
_! fri5d%ip 0 = summ] wea!r only2 t !y  
did n greatly purpose to d "r2 t !y 7 a 
di/9ct race  f me by _! prejudices &    
sup]/itions1 z ! ,*9am5 &  ,malays are2 
t1 9 _! sacrifices to humanity !y ran no
 risks1  n ev5 to _! prop]ty2 t1 aft]   
all1 !y 7 n s noble b  !y treat$ ! ?ief 
z he _h treat$ !m1 & hop$1 by a c]ta9   
outw>d obs]vance & a few pray]s1 & by   
walk+ 9 a p>ticul>  /raight ?\gh useless
 pa? f "t to "t1 to save _! s\ls4  ,?is 
may be to judge my neighbors h>%ly2 = ,i
 believe t mo/ (  !m are n aw>e t !y h  
su* an in/itution z ! jail 9  _!        

village4    ,x 0 =m]ly ! cu/om 9 our    
village1 :5 a poor debtor came out  (   
jail1 = 8 acqua9tances to salute him1   
look+ ?r\gh _!  f+]s1 :i* 7 cross$ to   
repres5t ! grat+ ( a jail w9d[1  8,h[ d 
ye d80 ,my neighbors did n ?us salute   
me1 b fir/ look$  at me1 & !n at "o     
ano!r1 z if ,i _h return$ f a long      
j\rney4 ,i 0 put into jail z ,i 0 go+ to
 ! %oemak]'s to get a  %oe :i* 0 m5d$4  
,:5 ,i 0 let out ! next morn+1 ,i       
proce$$  to f9i% my err&1 &1 hav+ put on
 my m5d$ %oe1 jo9$ a  huckleb]ry p>ty1  
:o 7 impati5t to put !mselves "u my     
conduct2 & 9 half an h\r1--= ! horse 0  
soon tackl$1--0 9  ! mid/ ( a huckleb]ry
 field1 on "o ( our highe/ hills1 two   
miles (f2 & !n ! ,/ate 0 n[h]e to be    
se54    ,?is is ! :ole hi/ory ( 8,my    
,prisons40        ,i h nev] decl9$ pay+ 
! highway tax1 because ,i am z desir\s  
( be+ a good neighbor z ,i am ( be+ a   
bad subject2 &1 z =  support+ s*ools1 ,i
 am do+ my "p to educate my             
fell[-c\ntrym5  n[4 ,x is = no p>ticul> 

item 9 ! tax-bill t ,i refuse to pay  x4
 ,i simply wi% to refuse allegiance to !
 ,/ate1 to )draw &  /& alo( f x         
effectually4 ,i d n c>e to trace ! c\rse
 (  my doll>1 if ,i c\ld1 till x buys a 
man1 or a musket to %oot "o  )1--! doll>
 is innoc5t1--b ,i am conc]n$ to trace !
 effects  ( my allegiance4 ,9 fact1 ,i  
quietly decl>e w> ) ! ,/ate1 aft]  my   
fa%ion1 ?\gh ,i w /ill make use & get   
:at advantages ( h]  ,i c1 z is usual 9 
su* cases4    ,if o!rs pay ! tax :i* is 
dem&$ ( me1 f a sympa?y ) !  ,/ate1 !y d
 b :at !y h already done 9 _! own case1 
or  r !y abet inju/ice to a great] ext5t
 ?an ! ,/ate requires4  ,if !y pay ! tax
 f a mi/ak5 int]e/ 9 ! individual tax$1 
to save 8 prop]ty or prev5t 8 go+ to    
jail1 x is because !y  h n consid]$     
wisely h[ f> !y let _! private feel+s   
int]f]e ) ! public good4    ,?is1 !n1 is
 my position at pres5t4 ,b "o _c be too 
mu* on  8 gu>d 9 su* a case1 le/ 8      
actions be biass$ by ob/9acy1 or  an    
undue reg>d = ! op9ions ( m54 ,let him  

see t he does only  :at belongs to      
himself & to ! h\r4    ,i ?9k sometimes1
 ,:y1 ?is p mean well2 !y are only      
ignorant2  !y w\ld d bett] if !y knew   
h[3 :y give y\r neighbors ?is  pa9 to   
treat y z !y are n incl9$ to8 ,b ,i ?9k1
 aga91 ?is  is no reason :y ,i %\ld d z 
!y d1 or p]mit o!rs to suff]  mu* great]
 pa9 ( a diff]5t k9d4 ,aga91 ,i         
sometimes say to  myself1 ,:5 _m        
millions ( m51 )\t heat1 )\t ill-w1  )\t
 p]sonal feel+ ( any k9d1 dem& ( y a few
 %ill+s  only1 )\t ! possibility1 su* is
 _! con/itution1 (  retract+ or alt]+ _!
 pres5t dem&1 & )\t !  possibility1 on  
y\r side1 ( appeal to any o!r millions1 
:y expose  y\rself to ?is ov]:elm+ brute
 =ce8 ,y d n resi/ cold &  hung]1 ! w9ds
 & ! waves1 ?us ob/9ately2 y quietly    
submit  to a ?\s& simil> necessities4 ,y
 d n put y\r head into !  fire4 ,b j 9  
proportion z ,i reg>d ?is z n :olly a   
brute  =ce1 b p>tly a human =ce1 &      
consid] t ,i h relations to  ^? millions
 z to s _m millions ( m51 & n ( m]e     

brute or  inanimate ?+s1 ,i see t appeal
 is possible1 fir/ &  in/antane\sly1 f  
!m to ! ,mak] ( !m1 &1 secondly1 f  !m  
to !mselves4 ,b1 if ,i put my head      
delib]ately into ! fire1  !re is no     
appeal to fire or to ! ,mak] ( fire1 &  
,i h only  myself to blame4 ,if ,i c\ld 
conv9ce myself t ,i h any "r to be      
satisfi$ ) m5 z !y are1 & to treat !m   
accord+ly1 & n  accord+1 9 "s respects1 
to my requisitions & expectations (  :at
 !y & ,i ought to be1 !n1 l a good      
,mussulman & fatali/1  ,i %\ld endeavor 
to be satisfi$ ) ?+s z !y are1 & say x  
is ! w ( ,god4 ,&1 above all1 !re is ?is
 diff]5ce betwe5  resi/+ ?is & a purely 
brute or natural =ce1 t ,i c resi/  ?is 
) "s effect2 b ,i _c expect1 l ,orpheus1
 to *ange !  nature ( ! rocks & trees & 
bea/s4    ,i d n wi% to qu>rel ) any man
 or nation4 ,i d n wi% to split  hairs1 
to make f9e di/9ctions1 or set myself up
 z bett] ?an my  neighbors4 ,i seek r1  
,i may say1 ev5 an excuse = con=m+ to  !
 laws ( ! l&4 ,i am b too ready to con=m

 to !m4 ,inde$ ,i  h reason to suspect  
myself on ?is head2 & ea* ye>1 z !      
tax-ga!r] comes r\nd1 ,i f9d myself     
dispos$ to review ! acts &  position ( !
 g5]al & /ate gov]nm5ts1 & ! _s ( !  p  
to discov] a pretext = con=mity4        
8,we mu/ affect our c\ntry z our p>5ts1 
,& if at any "t we ali5ate    ,out love 
( indu/ry f do+ x honor1    ,we mu/     
respect effects & tea* ! s\l    ,matt] (
 consci5ce & religion1    ,& n desire ( 
rule or b5efit40    ,i believe t ! ,/ate
 w soon be able to take all my "w ( ?is 
sort out ( my h&s1 & !n ,i %all be no   
bett] patriot ?an my  fell[-c\ntrym54   
,se5 f a l[] po9t ( view1 !             
,con/itution1  ) all its faults1 is v   
good2 ! law & ! c\rts are v             
respectable2 ev5 ?is ,/ate & ?is        
,am]ican gov]nm5t are1 9 _m  respects1 v
 admirable1 & r>e ?+s1 to be ?ankful =1 
su* z  a great _m h describ$ !m2 se5 f a
 high] /ill1 & !  highe/1 :o %all say   
:at !y are1 or t !y are wor? look+ at   
or ?9k+ ( at all8    ,h[ev]1 ! gov]nm5t 

does n conc]n me mu*1 & ,i %all be/[  ! 
fewe/ possible ?\ghts on x4 ,x is n _m  
mom5ts t ,i live  "u a gov]nm5t1 ev5 9  
?is _w4 ,if a man is ?\ght-free1        
fancy-free1 imag9ation-free1 t :i* is n 
nev] = a long "t  appe>+ to be to him1  
unwise rul]s or re=m]s _c fatally       
int]rupt him4    ,i "k t mo/ m5 ?9k     
diff]5tly f myself2 b ^? ^:  lives are  
by pr(ession devot$ to ! /udy ( ^! or   
k9dr$  subjects cont5t me z little z    
any4 ,/atesm5 & legislators1  /&+ s     
completely )9 ! in/itution1 nev]        
di/9ctly &  nak$ly behold x4 ,!y speak (
 mov+ society1 b h no  re/+-place )\t x4
 ,!y may be m5 ( a c]ta9 exp]i5ce &     
discrim9ation1 & h no d\bt inv5t$ +5i\s 
& ev5 useful  sy/ems1 = :i* we s9c]ely  
?ank !m2 b all _! wit &  usefulness lie 
)9 c]ta9 n v wide limits4 ,!y are wont  
to  =get t ! _w is n gov]n$ by policy & 
exp$i5cy4 ,web/]  nev] goes beh9d       
gov]nm5t1 & s _c speak ) au?ority ab\t  
x4 ,8 words are wisdom to ^? legislators
 :o contemplate no  ess5tial re=m 9 !   

exi/+ gov]nm5t2 b = ?9k]s1 &  ^? :o     
legislate = all "t1 he nev] once glances
 at ! subject4  ,i "k ( ^? ^: s]5e &    
wise speculations on ?is !me w\ld  soon 
reveal ! limits ( 8 m9d's range &       
hospitality4 ,yet1  comp>$ ) ! *eap     
pr(essions ( mo/ re=m]s1 & ! /ill  *eap]
 wisdom & eloqu5ce ( politicians 9      
g5]al1 8 are almo/  ! only s5sible &    
valuable words1 & we ?ank ,heav5 = him4 
,comp>atively1 he is always /rong1      
orig9al1 &1 above all1  practical4 ,/ill
 8 quality is n wisdom1 b prud5ce4 ,!   
lawy]'s  tru? is n ,tru?1 b consi/5cy or
 a consi/5t exp$i5cy4 ,tru?  is always 9
 h>mony ) h]self1 & is n conc]n$ *iefly 
to  reveal ! ju/ice t may consi/ )      
wrong-do+4 ,he well des]ves  to be      
call$1 z he has be5 call$1 ! ,def5d] ( !
 ,con/itution4  ,!re are really no bl[s 
to be giv5 by him b def5sive ones4 ,he  
is  n a lead]1 b a foll[]4 ,8 lead]s are
 ! m5 ( '#hg4 8,i h  nev] made an ef=t10
 he says1 8& nev] propose to make an    
ef=t2 ,i  h nev] c\nt5anc$ an ef=t1 &   

nev] mean to c\nt5ance an  ef=t1 to     
di/urb ! arrangem5t z orig9ally made1 by
 :i* !  v>i\s ,/ates came into !        
,union40 ,/ill ?9k+ ( ! sanction  :i* ! 
,con/itution gives to slav]y1 he says1  
8,because x 0 "p  ( ! orig9al           
compact1--let x /&40 ,not)/&+ 8 special 
acut5ess & ability1 he is unable to take
 a fact out ( its m]ely  political      
relations1 & behold x z x lies          
absolutely to be dispos$  ( by !        
intellect1--:at1 = in/ance1 x behoves a 
man to d "h 9  ,am]ica today ) reg>d to 
slav]y1 b v5tures1 or is driv51 to  make
 "s su* desp]ate answ] z ! foll[+1 :ile 
pr(ess+ to  speak absolutely1 & z a     
private man1--f :i* :at new &  s+ul>    
code ( social duties might be           
inf]r$8--8,! mann]10 says  he1 89 :i* ! 
gov]nm5ts ( ^? ,/ates :]e slav]y exi/s  
are  to regulate x1 is = _! own         
consid]ation1 "u !  responsibility to _!
 con/itu5ts1 to ! g5]al laws (          
propriety1  humanity1 & ju/ice1 & to    
,god4 ,associations =m$ else:]e1  spr++ 

f a feel+ ( humanity1 or any o!r cause1 
h no?+  :atev] to d ) x4 ,!y h nev]     
receiv$ any enc\ragem5t f  me & !y nev] 
w40 ,^! extracts h be5 ins]t$ s9ce !    
,lecture 0 read --,,hdt    ,!y :o "k (  
no pur] s\rces ( tru?1 :o h trac$ up its
  /ream no high]1 /&1 & wisely /&1 by ! 
,bible & !  ,con/itution1 & dr9k at x   
!re ) rev]5ce & humanity2 b  !y :o      
behold :]e x comes trickl+ into ?is lake
 or t pool1  gird up _! lo9s once m1 &  
cont9ue _! pilgrimage t[>d its          
f\nta9-head4    ,no man ) a g5ius =     
legislation has appe>$ 9 ,am]ica4 ,!y   
are  r>e 9 ! hi/ory ( ! _w4 ,!re are    
orators1 politicians1 &  eloqu5t m51 by 
! ?\s&2 b ! speak] has n yet op5$ 8  m\?
 to speak :o is capable ( settl+ !      
mu*-vex$ que/ions (  ! day4 ,we love    
eloqu5ce = its own sake1 & n = any tru? 
:i* x may utt]1 or any h]oism x may     
inspire4 ,our legislators h  n yet le>n$
 ! comp>ative value ( free-trade & (    
fre$om1 (  union1 & ( rectitude1 to a   
nation4 ,!y h no g5ius or tal5t =       

comp>atively humble que/ions ( taxation 
& f9ance1 comm]ce &  manufactures &     
agriculture4 ,if we 7 left solely to !  
wordy wit  ( legislators 9 ,congress =  
our guidance1 uncorrect$ by !           
seasonable exp]i5ce & ! effectual       
compla9ts ( ! p1  ,am]ica w\ld n long   
reta9 h] rank among ! nations4 ,=       
eighte5  hundr$ ye>s1 ?\gh p]*ance ,i h 
no "r to say x1 ! ,new  ,te/am5t has be5
 writt52 yet :]e is ! legislator :o has 
wisdom  & practical tal5t en\gh to avail
 himself ( ! light :i* x  %$s on !      
sci5ce ( legislation4    ,! au?ority (  
gov]nm5t1 ev5 su* z ,i am will+ to      
submit  to1--= ,i w *e]fully obey ^? :o 
"k & c d bett] ?an ,i1  & 9 _m ?+s ev5  
^? :o nei!r "k nor c d s well1--is  /ill
 an impure "o3 to be /rictly j1 x mu/ h 
! sanction &  cons5t ( ! gov]n$4 ,x c h 
no pure "r ov] my p]son &  prop]ty b :at
 ,i conc$e to x4 ,! progress f an       
absolute to a  limit$ mon>*y1 f a limit$
 mon>*y to a democracy1 is a progress   
t[>d a true respect = ! individual4 ,ev5

 ! ,*9ese philosoph]  0 wise en\gh to   
reg>d ! individual z ! basis ( ! empire4
 ,is  a democracy1 su* z we "k x1 ! la/ 
improvem5t possible 9  gov]nm5t8 ,is x n
 possible to take a /ep fur!r t[>ds     
recogniz+ & organiz+ ! rights ( man8    
,!re w nev] be a  really free &         
enlight5$ ,/ate1 until ! ,/ate comes to 
recognize  ! individual z a high] &     
indep5d5t p[]1 f :i* all its  own p[] & 
au?ority are d]iv$1 & treats him        
accord+ly4 ,i  please myself ) imag9+ a 
,/ate at la/ :i* c af=d to be  j to all 
m51 & to treat ! individual ) respect z 
a  neighbor2 :i* ev5 w\ld n ?9k x       
inconsi/5t ) its own  repose1 if a few 7
 to live alo( f x1 n m$dl+ ) x1 nor     
embrac$ by x1 :o fulfill$ all ! duties (
 neighbors &  fell[-m54 ,a ,/ate :i*    
bore ?is k9d ( fruit1 & suff]$ x to     
drop (f z fa/ z x rip5$1 w\ld prep>e !  
way = a /ill m  p]fect & glori\s ,/ate1 
:i* also ,i h imag9$1 b n yet  any:]e   
se54