Civil Disobedience

Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience is one of the most influential political essays ever written—a powerful call to place individual conscience above unjust law. Yet many modern readers struggle with its nineteenth-century prose and unfamiliar context. This new edition renders Thoreau’s arguments in clear, present-day English while preserving the spirit and substance of the original. You’ll encounter his famous critique of a government that demands obedience to immoral policies, his night in a Concord jail, and his vision of a society built on principle rather than majority rule. Through accessible language and thoughtful chapter breaks, this edition helps you engage directly with Thoreau’s ideas—whether you are reading for personal reflection, academic study, or a deeper understanding of the roots of nonviolent resistance. Part of The Modern Wisdom Library.