The surface of the earth is soft and impressible by the feet of men; and so with the paths which the mind travels. How worn and dusty, then, must be the highways of the world, how deep the ruts of tradition and conformity! I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains.

Summary

This quote by Henry David Thoreau speaks to the idea that society's paths and beliefs are well-trodden and unoriginal, comparable to the beaten tracks on the earth's surface. Thoreau, in his rebellious spirit, explains that he rejects the conventional ways of living and seeks a more authentic experience. By choosing to metaphorically journey on the "deck of the world," he positions himself outside the confines of societal norms, seeking a deeper connection with nature and the freedom to explore uncharted territories away from the confines of tradition and conformity.

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