Lives of Noisy Desperation

Thoreau would be heartbroken at the idea of blogging.

His whole philosophy was simplicity. The first conscientious objector, he went to jail rather than pay taxes he felt supported an unjust war. (In his case, the Mexican-American one, waged by the United States to take over Texas and the Southwest...and perhaps also extend the area of slavery.)

He built the cabin at Walden with his own hands. Although he only published two books before dying of tuberculosis at the age of 44, he kept journals that have been published in 20 volumes.

His conscience was his guide.