Thoreau Part 3 - Civil Disobedience

Front

What is Thoreau's view on slavery?

Back

Thoreau believes that slavery is a moral evil that should be stopped.

Front

How does Thoreau compare government to a machine?

Back

Thoreau suggests that a good person should be like a broken part that stops the machine (government) from working.

Front

What motto does Thoreau accept regarding government?

Back

Thoreau accepts the motto 'That government is best which governs least'.

Front

To whom does Thoreau believe a person owes the strongest loyalty?

Back

Thoreau believes a person owes the strongest loyalty to his or her conscience.

Front

What analogy does Thoreau use to express the importance of living according to one's nature?

Back

Thoreau uses the analogy of 'An acorn and a chestnut falling side by side' to illustrate that a man will die if he does not live according to his nature.

Front

What is civil disobedience according to Thoreau?

Back

Civil disobedience is the act of refusing to obey certain laws or demands of a government as a peaceful form of protest.

Front

What does Thoreau believe about the role of government in society?

Back

Thoreau believes that government should not interfere excessively in the lives of individuals.

Front

How does Thoreau view the relationship between individual conscience and law?

Back

Thoreau believes that individual conscience should take precedence over unjust laws.

Front

What is the significance of the phrase 'the best government is that which governs least'?

Back

This phrase emphasizes the idea that minimal government intervention allows for greater individual freedom and responsibility.

Front

What does Thoreau suggest about the moral responsibility of individuals?

Back

Thoreau suggests that individuals have a moral responsibility to act according to their conscience, even if it means disobeying the law.