Quote by Henry David Thoreau, Walking

There is something servile in the habit of seeking after a law which we may obey. We may study the laws of matter at and for our convenience, but a successful life knows no law. It is an unfortunate discovery certainly, that of a law which binds us where we did not know before that we were bound. Live free, child of the mist--and with respect to knowledge we are all children of the mist. The man who takes the liberty to live is superior to all the laws, by virtue of his relation to the lawmaker. That is active duty, says the Vishnu Purana, which is not for our bondage; that is knowledge which is for our liberation: all other duty is good only unto weariness; all other knowledge is only the cleverness of an artist.http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext97/wlkng10.txt

There is something servile in the habit of seeking after a l

Summary

This quote suggests that there is something submissive or servile in constantly seeking to follow established laws. While it may be beneficial to study and understand the laws of nature for practical purposes, a truly successful life transcends the need for laws. It is unfortunate that we often discover laws that bind us even when we were unaware of our bondage. The quote encourages living freely and suggests that those who do so are superior to laws because of their relationship with the ones who created the laws. Active duty and knowledge that lead to liberation are emphasized, portraying other duties and knowledge as mundane and unfulfilling.

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By Henry David Thoreau, Walking

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