Henry David Thoreau

[jewel]

"The majority of humanity lives an existence of quiet desperation."

Henry David Thoreau

I am just re-reading Thoreau's Walden, a fascinating read, and in the current political climate I find it very appropriate.
He was a fascinating character, and certainly someone I would like to entertain at dinner, I imagine the conversation would be riveting.

[LovelyLadyLux]

What is desperation? And what population(s) is it applicable to?

[jewel]

What is desperation? And what population(s) is it applicable to?

It is from his book "Walden" where he lives in solitude in the woods to be close to nature and gain some objectivity of life and society in general. He was a transcendental philosopher, and came up with some great observations, particularly of a political nature.
He spoke of civil disobedience:

"If a thousand [citizens] were not to pay their tax-bills this year, that would not be a violent and bloody measure, as it would be to pay them, and enable the State to commit violence and shed innocent blood. This is, in fact, the definition of a peaceable revolution, if any such is possible."

It is in the book Walden where he states that the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.

A link to the book:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden

[LovelyLadyLux]

So if resignation is desperation - tell me in your own opinion - what are the actions of ISIS?