Some years ago, the State met me in behalf of the Church, and commanded me to pay a certain sum toward the support of a clergyman ...whose preaching my father attended, but never I myself. "Pay," it said, "or be locked up in the jail." I declined to pay. But, unfortunately, another man saw fit to pay it. I did not see why the schoolmaster should be taxed to support the priest, and not the priest the schoolmaster; for I was not the State's schoolmaster, but I supported myself by voluntary subscription. I did not see why the lyceum should not present its tax-bill, and have the State to back its demand, as well as the Church. However, at the request of the selectmen, I condescended to make some such statement as this in writing:M"Know all men by these presents, that I, Henry Thoreau, do not wish to be regarded as a member of any incorporated society which I have not joined." This I gave to the town clerk, and he has it. The State, having thus learned that I did not wish to be regarded as a member of that church, has never made a like demand on me since; though it said that it must adhere to its original presumption that time. If I had known how to name them, I should then have signed off in detail from all the societies which I never signed on to; but I did not know where to find a complete list.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
When Abraham Lincoln penned the immortal emancipation proclamation he did not stop to inquire whether every man and every woman in... Southern slavery did or did not want to be free. Whether women do or do not wish to vote does not affect the question of their right to do so.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
O Kate, nice customs curtsy to great kings. Dear Kate, you and I cannot be confined within the weak list of a country's... fashion. We are the makers of manners, Kate.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
If you go into your neighbor's vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes, as many as you wish, but you shall not put any in a cont...ainer.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
So Haman came in, and the king said to him, "What shall be done for the man whom the king wishes to honor?" Haman said to himself,... "Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?"LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
"If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then ...come, follow me." When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »