Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which it was already but too easy to arrive at; as railroads lead to Boston or New York. We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate.

Summary

This quote by Henry David Thoreau criticizes society's obsession with new inventions and technology. Thoreau suggests that these inventions, while impressive, often distract people from more meaningful and important matters. He argues that advancements like railroads or telegraphs should be viewed as mere tools rather than ultimate goals in themselves. Thoreau questions the necessity of constructing a telegraph line from Maine to Texas, implying that it may not serve any substantive purpose and highlights society's tendency to prioritize progress over meaningful communication.

Topics