Quote by Henry David Thoreau

Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resigns his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience then? I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward.

Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree,

Summary

This quote by Henry David Thoreau emphasizes the importance of individual conscience and questioning the authority of the government. Thoreau argues against blind obedience to legislation, urging citizens to prioritize their moral compass over the dictates of the legislature. By asking why every individual has a conscience, he implies that it is essential for people to hold on to their personal ethics and integrity rather than sacrificing them for the laws or the state. Thoreau advocates for the understanding that before anything else, individuals should function as free-thinking humans and then as subjects of the government.

Topics

Conscience Laws

By Henry David Thoreau

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