There are thousands hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.

Summary

This quote, attributed to Henry David Thoreau, emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of problems instead of merely dealing with their symptoms. It suggests that while many people may focus on peripheral or surface-level issues, true change and progress can only be achieved by targeting the fundamental sources of evil or injustice. By metaphorically comparing these efforts to "hacking at the branches," the quote urges individuals to direct their energy and actions towards the core and underlying factors that give rise to societal problems.

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