# On the Duty of Civil Disobedience explained — Essays

> Chapter companion for Essays by Henry David Thoreau.

## What happens

Thoreau argues for the primacy of individual conscience over governmental authority, asserting that citizens should resist unjust laws, particularly those supporting slavery and the Mexican-American War. He critiques the majority rule as a basis for justice and calls for a government that respects moral law.

## Themes in this chapter

### Civil Disobedience and Justice

Central theme: Thoreau advocates for resisting unjust laws and prioritizing conscience over legal obligation.

### Individualism and Self-Reliance

Thoreau emphasizes the individual's moral duty to act according to their own conscience, not the majority's will.

### Freedom and Slavery

Thoreau directly critiques the government for permitting slavery and calls for resistance to such oppression.

## Character check-ins

### Henry David Thoreau

Author and speaker; argues for civil disobedience and the primacy of conscience over government.

### The State

Personified as a machine that often oppresses and robs, serving the interests of a few rather than justice.

### The Hero

Referenced as one of the few who serve the state with their conscience and resist it.

### The Soul

Mentioned in the context of teaching the soul matter of conscience and religion.

### Orpheus

Alluded to in the context of resisting brute force; Thoreau cannot change nature like Orpheus.

## Key lines

> That government is best which governs least

The best government is one that interferes minimally with its citizens.

_Thoreau opens with this motto to establish his critique of excessive governance._

> The only obligation which I have a right to assume, is to do at any time what I think right.

My sole duty is to act according to my own moral judgment at all times.

_Thoreau asserts the primacy of individual conscience over legal or social obligations._

> Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison.

When the government unjustly imprisons others, the just person belongs in prison alongside them.

_Thoreau argues that moral integrity requires solidarity with the oppressed._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/on-the-duty-of-civil-disobedience
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se/chapters