Table of Contents
- 1 What does Thoreau mean when he says But a government in which the majority rule in all cases Cannot be based on justice even as far as men understand it?
- 2 What kind of government does Thoreau say it best?
- 3 How does Thoreau believe individuals should respond to a government that pursues policies they believe to be immoral?
- 4 Does Thoreau really want no government what is the first step toward getting the kind of government we can respect?
- 5 What is Thoreau’s suggestion for expressing displeasure with the government?
- 6 How does Thoreau use ethos in Resistance to Civil government?
- 7 How does Thoreau define the best possible kind of government?
- 8 What are some famous quotes by Henry David Thoreau?
What does Thoreau mean when he says But a government in which the majority rule in all cases Cannot be based on justice even as far as men understand it?
Thoreau indicates that this should be the purpose of the law when he says, “But a government in which the majority rule in all cases cannot be based on justice, even as far as men understand it.” This means that a government in which the majority rule will never be fair or just.
What is the meaning of government according to Thoreau?
The government, according to Thoreau, is not just a little corrupt or unjust in the course of doing its otherwise-important work, but in fact the government is primarily an agent of corruption and injustice. Because of this, it is “not too soon for honest men to rebel and revolutionize”.
What kind of government does Thoreau say it best?
In “Civil Disobedience,” Thoreau wrote that the best kind of government was the one “which [governed] not at all” (Thoreau 1)….
What does Thoreau say is the first step in obtaining a better government?
Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it.” It is more important develop a respect for the right, rather than a respect for law, for people’s obligations are to do what is right.
How does Thoreau believe individuals should respond to a government that pursues policies they believe to be immoral?
For Thoreau the goal of any response to unjust policies is to insure that the individual does not, either directly or indirectly, advance them.
Does Thoreau advocate no government?
Despite popular misinterpretation, Thoreau does not advocate the dissolution of government in it. He asks “not at once for no government, but at once a better government.” Moral issues must be decided by the individual and his conscience, not by the majority through government.
Does Thoreau really want no government what is the first step toward getting the kind of government we can respect?
Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it.” Thoreau then says that speaking “practically and as a citizen,” he is not asking for the immediate elimination of government. a respect for law, for people’s obligations are to do what is right.
For what two reasons does Thoreau upset with the government?
The two major issues being debated in the United States during Thoreau’s life were slavery and the Mexican-American War. Both issues play a prominent part in Thoreau’s essay.
What is Thoreau’s suggestion for expressing displeasure with the government?
Thoreau considers civil disobedience one of the most effective ways of expressing his displeasure with the government. Civil disobedience, as the name suggests, is the active disregard and breaking of a government rule when a private citizen believes it is unnecessary or even against society’s best interests.
What does Thoreau think the government’s role should be?
Thoreau argued that the government must end its unjust actions to earn the right to collect taxes from its citizens. As long as the government commits unjust actions, he continued, conscientious individuals must choose whether to pay their taxes or to refuse to pay them and defy the government.
How does Thoreau use ethos in Resistance to Civil government?
In “Resistance to Civil Government,” Henry David Thoreau uses ethos in order to help his audience gain trust in him. Thoreau uses his own personal experience in order to demonstrate his knowledge of his topic and his own personal connection to it.
What kind of government does Thoreau say is best?
Thoreau believed the best type of government was the one that governed the least.
How does Thoreau define the best possible kind of government?
How Thoreau defines the best possible kind of government is that the best kind of government is one that doesn’t govern and Americans will get that when they are prepared for it; he wants laissez-faire.
What does Thoreau think of the American government?
Henry David Thoreau, the author of Civil Disobedience, clearly shows signs of being a rebel. He has many negative views and ideas on government, with a focus on American government as well. Thoreau believes that the government is not supposed to essentially fulfill their job. The text reads, “Government is best which governs not at all…
What are some famous quotes by Henry David Thoreau?
101 Henry David Thoreau Quotes, Fun Facts, Sayings Best Thoreau Quotes. These were the best Henry David Thoreau quotes we could find. Famous Sayings. Dreams are the touchstones of our characters. Nature Quotations. All good things are wild and free. Conservation Sayings. Walden Quotations. Civil Disobedience Thoreax Quotes. Short Henry David Thoreau Quotations. Facts About Thoreau. Thoreau FAQs.