How Far Have We Come Since 1854?
September 19, 2009
In 1854 Henry David Thoreau wrote in Walden:
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.”
Though this is often misquoted, the gist is still the same.
Recent studies indicate that we haven’t moved much from this point. The studies point out that 80% of Americans are not passionate about what they do. They are not happy with the life they have. But most of them are ‘resigned’ to it.
