Quote by Henry David Thoreau
The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.
Summary
This quote by Henry David Thoreau suggests that many people live in a state of quiet desperation, often enduring a sense of hopelessness or discontentment. Thoreau believes that what society commonly labels as resignation or acceptance of one's circumstances is, in reality, a confirmation of this desperate state. In other words, instead of actively seeking change or improvement, individuals have succumbed to a passive acceptance of their unfulfilling lives. Thoreau's words serve as a critique of societal norms and a call to action for individuals to rise above their desperation and pursue a more fulfilling existence.