Quote by Henry David Thoreau
Men have become the tools of their tools. Money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul. Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.
Summary
This quote, attributed to Henry David Thoreau, suggests that humans have become overly reliant on the material possessions and comforts that they have created. Thoreau argues that money is not necessary to fulfill the soul's true needs and that many of the luxuries we perceive as essential are actually obstacles to the advancement and enlightenment of humanity. He implies that by freeing ourselves from the excessive reliance on material possessions, we can better focus on intellectual and spiritual growth, ultimately leading to a higher level of fulfillment and progress as individuals and as a society.