Bargains Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“I have thoroughly tried school-keeping, and found that my expenses were in proportion, or rather out of proportion, to my income,for I was obliged to dress and train, not to say think and believe, accordingly, and I lost my time into the bargain. As I did not teach for the good of my fellow-men, but simply for a livelihood, this was a failure. I have tried trade; but I found that it would take ten years to get under way in that, and that then I should probably be on my way to the devil. I was actually afraid that I might by that time be doing what is called a good business.”
About This Quote
Thoreau critiques conventional work—teaching and trade—as misaligned with personal values, leading to wasted time and moral compromise.
In simple terms: Critique of conventional labor
Key Takeaway
Work should align with purpose
Themes
individualism
materialism
moral integrity
self-reliance
critique of society
Mood
reflective
critical
melancholic
Type
philosophical
social critique
When to use this quote
- career dissatisfaction
- ethical dilemma in profession
- search for meaningful work
- conflict between income and values
Key Concepts
authenticity
time value
ethical livelihood
social expectations
Practical Applications
- career counseling
- personal development workshops
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one balance livelihood with personal ethics?
- What alternatives exist to conventional employment?
![“My mother was like, "What did they teach you?", and I had never talked about that [sex-ed] so I freaked out.” quote by Jen Kirkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/024/jen-kirkman-2547_education_my-mother-was-like-what-did-they-teach-y_1235896.jpg)
