re: Mary Lou's found quote:
"A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone."
I think Thoreau is making light/fun-of that a rich man leaves many things he has untouched, where a poor man must use up everything they have. (Thoreau seems much in favor of only producing/using what you need and nothing more).
Here is another quote which seems to be a common theme of Mr. Thoreau:
"Let not to get a living be thy trade, but thy sport".
Mark M.
I see the first quote as Thoreau saying that the material things of this world are instrinsically incapable of giving satisfaction. The true wealth of the world is in the moment. The moment can not be enjoyed if we are obsessed with obtaining material goods.
ReplyDeleteI see the second comment in the same light. Trade suggests a long term commitment. Sport suggests to me two things: that your living does not require the entire day and that you take pleasure in the necessities of life; growing your own food, sweeping out your room, etc,
I agree with you, (and also noticed this), that Thoreau revels in the moment.
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