Subject or discipline: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Henry Thoreau Quotes
The following quotes and excerpts were written by Henry David Thoreau and edited for contemporary understanding and readability with a goal of extracting as much critical thinking practice as possible.
Instructions: Please respond in writing to all the questions below. You should combine all answers in ONE paper. Please keep the responses well organized. Label each as you compose the answers in the following way: 1.a, 1.b, 1.c, 2.a, 3.a, 4.a.
1. However poor and humble your life is, meet it and live it; do not ignore it and call it hard names. It is not so bad as you believe. It looks poorest when you are richest. The faultfinder will find faults even in paradise. Love your life, poor as it is. You may perhaps have some pleasant, thrilling, glorious hours, even in a poorhouse. –Walden
a. Explain this passage in your own words. Break this down to find the true meaning. Explain in your paper what you believe Thoreau meant by writing this. (100 word minimum)
b. The third sentence reads: It looks poorest when you are richest. Explain what this means. Your answer should be written in complete sentences. (50 word minimum)
c. What does Thoreau mean by: The faultfinder finds fault even in paradise? Explain what this means. Your answer should be written in complete sentences. (50 word minimum)
2. If you mean by hard times, times not when there is no bread, but when there is no cake, I have no sympathy with you.—Journal, 28 January 1852
a. This is short but powerful. Explain in writing what Thoreau meant by this quote as if you were explaining it to a 7-year-old child. (100 word minimum)
3. The rich man . . . is always sold to the institution which makes him rich.—”Resistance to Civil Government.”
a. Explain in your own words and thoughts how quote #3 connects in some way to politics. Hunt around the web for inspiration if you like. (100 word minimum)
4. “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.”
a. This is short but powerful. Again, explain what Thoreau meant by this quote as if you were explaining it to a 7-year-old child. (50 word minimum)
5. I am freer than any planet.—Journal, 21 March 1840
a. OK, this is a difficult question. Although this is a short quote, I think it is tricky to explain. But try. In your own words, tell me what you think Thoreau means in this witty quote. (Hint, think about how a planet moves). (50 word minimum)
Please note that the entire paper should be at least 500 words.