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In his own occasional work as a surveyor, he observed that, when presenting different methods of surveying a piece of land, the owner would ask which method would give the owner the most land, rather than which was the most accurate way to do it. He went on to write on the constant motion of work and
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It begins by challenging the notion that work is the most crucial aspect of an individual's life. He posits that work often clashes with poetry and living, and emphasizes the need for work to be fulfilling. He reflects on his guilt at watching his neighbor, who was working in the early morning hours,
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Thoreau prepared "Life
Without Principle" for publication during the final months of his life based on his journal notes between 1851 and 1855 that originally inspired his lecture. It was published posthumously in 1863. In addition to "Life Without Principle", Thoreau was writing and re-working
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from the comfort of his own home. However, his opinion changes when he observes the result of the labor – a piece of meaningless yard art. Thoreau asserts that he requires no direction from the "police of meaningless labor" in determining how to spend his time.
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Scholar
Barbara Packer contends that Thoreau's shifting titles show his shifting pity and contempt for his contemporaries who he felt were employed in ways that degraded life or the country.
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that offers his program for a righteous livelihood. It was published in 1863, a few months after his death.
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and he wrote that "a grain of gold will gild a great surface, but not so much as a grain of wisdom."
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in the wood-cutting mill is fed with the shavings it creates. You must get your living by loving."
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several other lectures and essays for publication in the final months of his life, including "
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Thoreau intended the original title, "What Shall It Profit?", as a
Biblical reference (
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Civilizing
Thoreau: Human Ecology and the Emerging Social Sciences in the Major Works
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The essay provides an overview of
Thoreau's philosophy of work and life.
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This article is about the essay. For the 2011 Hong Kong film, see
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The
Atlantic Monthly, A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics
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business and on how people value making money above all else.
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717:(LXXII). Boston: Ticknor and Fields: 484–495. October 1863
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A complete collection of
Thoreau's essays, including
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Life
Without Principle (Illustrated & Annotated)
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1157:Categories
1076:Excursions
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89:Please
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