Civil Disobedience
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4.3 • 812 Ratings
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Publisher Description
In it, Thoreau argues that individuals should not permit governments to overrule or atrophy their consciences, and that they have a duty to avoid allowing such acquiescence to enable the government to make them the agents of injustice. Thoreau was motivated in part by his disgust with slavery and the Mexican-American War.
Customer Reviews
Exposition on the relationship of Government and The Citizen
A quick read that elegantly shows American Government is supposed to SERVE The People, and a reminder that all political power flows FROM The People.
A bit anarchistic at times, but the principals hold up in contemporary society.
A compelling admonishment of moral weakness full of brilliant and bold observations
Thoreau speaks boldly and unabashedly as he presents his libertarian views on government as well as on the great extent to which an individual must go to ensure that he has no part in any evil carried out by a government. He has harsh words for the vast majority of citizens, whom he admonishes for following the law rather than following what is morally right, and for being weak and hypocritical even in their critique of the government. Along the way, Thoreau makes brilliant and hard-hitting observations about society that cannot be denied and forces the reader to rethink the relationship between themselves and the state. The read is thought-provoking in the extreme.
DECENT 4
This was an interesting read with a lot of good nuggets. It was a little libertarian at a times, but the main idea is strong. The biggest takeaway being that legality does NOT equal morality and that ethics and laws have never been perfectly aligned.