Civil Disobedience By Henry David Thoreau

Civil Disobedience “That government is best which governs least.” Making reference to the bureaucracy and red tape of big government. Too many people involved who have their own agenda.

Civil Disobedience “That government is best which governs not at all.” Thoreau believes people are capable of managing their own lives without government supervision. Do not need someone else dictating what is best for you.

Civil Disobedience “The standing army is only an arm of the standing government.” –You can’t blame the army for doing what the government tells it to – going to war with another country. –Reminder: army is given orders by officials elected by U.S. citizens.

Civil Disobedience “ The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it.” –Just because people vote for government officials, doesn’t mean they will be honest and incorruptible.

Civil Disobedience “It [the government] has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will.” There are so many people involved in the government that it is easy for the government leaders to push through their own agenda. The more people beneath the President, the more power he has – the less likely he will be able to look out for the good of the whole nation.

Civil Disobedience “Governments show thus how successfully men can be imposed upon, even impose upon themselves, for their own advantage.” –To what lengths are people willing to go to get what they want? –How many complications do people encounter for the government to accomplish something simple?

Civil Disobedience “ The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way.” –Thoreau reminds us that all that is great about America is accomplished by individuals, not the government –The government is more likely to get in the way of progress than to help it along. –(cartoon from

Civil Disobedience “ I ask for not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it…” Thoreau recognizes that a country without any government would be in chaos. He strongly feels that each individual citizen needs to hold the government accountable for its actions and decisions Be active and be aware!