"A man is rich in proportion to the number
  of things he can afford to leave alone"

Once we understand Thoreau, we recognize that
 "rich" refers to having the opportunity for
 spiritual and intellectual gains and
"afford" refers to self-actualization
 rather than to cash in the bank.

The issue of how we spend our time and energies.
 It's quite obvious that people are not economical as they

 "sew a thousand stitches today to save nine tomorrow,"
 spending many hours of hard work to accomplish very little,
 thus showing a false sense of economy.


While Thoreau is criticizing the American way of life of 150 years ago,
 it is amazing how applicable his comments are to our society today.


Thoreau is being every bit as revolutionary and
anti-capitalistic as Karl Marx, but his solution
depends on the actions of individuals rather than
 on the actions of armies and mobs.

 If you want a Marxist revolution, you have to join
 with others to overthrow the present system, but if
 you want a Thoreauvian revolution, you need to change
only your own life, not that of others.


America has changed. From a nation running a surplus
and minding its own business, America is now the world’s
biggest busybody, requiring the kindness of strangers
to fund not only its overseas government follies,
 but also, the lifestyles of its over-indebted private citizens.