Henry David Thoreau was an American author, naturalist and philosopher. While best known for his lasting classic Walden, his prolific work as an essayist also earned him worldwide renown as a leading light in American literature. Included in this selection are two of his most famous essays:
Civil Disobedience is Thoreau's primary essay on how to interact with Government. Here the author argues that a citizen must always uphold conscience over what is prescribed by law. Never one to accept the status quo, Thoreau says that if called, we must all disobey a system that is inherently prone to corruption and that even personal endangerment may be needed in order do what is right. An inspiration to luminaries such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., this essay is one of the core American writings on government.
Life Without Principle is an essay in which Thoreau lays out his program for right living. Included here are his ideas on how to approach interpersonal communication, modes of work, financial livelihood and other codes of conduct one may face in life.