Thoreau is one of the better known sources of aphorisms in American literature, and his sometimes witty, sometimes reflective sayings are often quoted in essays, on posters, and even on t-shirts and bumper stickers. He has provided readers with many quips that package his philosophy into smaller, more memorable terms.
While many of his aphorisms have relevance in contemporary life, one example is from a letter to a friend. In his letter, Thoreau references the lack of jobs due to a depression the county was facing at that time. He notes the lack of jobs because of this, but states that perhaps these jobs were not worth having in the first place. Thoreau closes out the letter writing, "It is not enough to be industrious; so are the ants. What are you industrious about?" This quote reflects Thoreau's concern about industrialization and the changes in modern society. He did not believe that industry and mass production were necessarily beneficial for the country. He writes about this concern in many of his works, perhaps most notably Walden.
This quote certainly reflects the situation Thoreau describes in his letter; however, it could easily apply to modern day society. Industrious can be defined as "constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied." Take a look around at any public place, and it is obvious that everyone is "habitually occupied" with their phones and tablets. But are they occupied in something worthwhile? Answering constant emails, texting, posting on social media, playing games, and shutting out the natural world are probably things that Thoreau would not value. Thoreau would probably suggest that people step back and examine how beneficial busying themselves with these tasks truly is. He spends many pages in his writings discussing the value of self-exploration through solitude and the power of being in nature (away from society and technology) to bring meaning to his life. Modern usage of devices is a prime example of the type of "industry" Thoreau would question.
An aphorism, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is "a concise statement of principle," so it is a short line or phrase that illustrates some belief of the speaker. Henry David Thoreau was absolutely fond of confidently stating his point of view and offering neat, plain advice on how others could live the way that he did: more simply and more fully. An example of one of his aphorisms from his famous text Walden is
A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.
This statement illustrates Thoreau's belief in simplicity, that man should try to reduce his possessions to that which he truly needs and nothing else. This idea is essential to his experience at Walden Pond, where he lived in a cabin he built himself and strived to reduce distractions from his life. Normally in a consumer culture, a man is considered rich if he owns too many things and he can call his life luxurious. But Thoreau rejects such thinking and instead emphasizes the great advantage of freedom over responsibility. The less things the man has to fiddle with, the more time and energy he will have for nobler pursuits.
This idea is obviously relevant in today's American society, as consumerism, ever-changing technology, and wealth disparities tend to plague the population with distractions and extra responsibility. People who are constantly taking care of their possessions or updating them do not have time for much else. And people who are working multiple jobs have no time or energy for much else. Thoreau's statement reminds us that, ultimately, we need much less than we think we do, and he urges us to insist on simplicity.
Thoreau's aphorisms span his writing, so besides Walden: Life in the Woods, look through Civil Disobedience for more examples to choose from.
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