Note 1 — Chapter III · • Henry Thoreau • Transcendental Economist

Compare the following entry in his Journal under date of March 26, 1842: “I must confess I have felt mean enough when asked how I was to act on society, what errand I had to mankind. Undoubtedly I did not feel mean without a reason, and yet my loitering is not without defense. I would fain communicate the wealth of my life to men, would really give them what is most precious in my gift.... I know no riches I would keep back. I have no private good unless it be my peculiar ability to serve the public.... This is the only individual property.... It is hard to be a good citizen of the world in any great sense, but if we do render no interest or increase to mankind out of that talent God gave us, we can at least preserve the principal unimpaired.”