Life Quote by Henry David Thoreau
““Not long since I was present at the auction of a deacon's effects, for his life had not been ineffectual:-- "The evil that men do lives after them." As usual, a great proportion was trumpery which had begun to accumulate in his father's day. Among the rest was a dried tapeworm. And now, after lying half a century in his garret and other dust holes, these things were not burned; instead of a bonfire, or purifying destruction of them, there was an auction, or increasing of them. The neighbors eagerly collected to view them, bought them all, and carefully transported them to their garrets and dust holes, to lie there till their estates are settled, when they will start again.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Civil Disobedience” (originally “Resistance to Civil Government”), 1849
Even after death, a person's harmful deeds can linger, and society often preserves them instead of destroying them.
In simple terms: Bad actions can outlive their makers.
Key Takeaway
Consider the legacy of deeds.
Themes
mortality
legacy
materialism
Mood
thoughtful
somber
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- inheritance law
- family heirlooms
- historical preservation
- memorial practices
Key Concepts
Philosophy
ethical reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- What do we truly preserve when we keep objects?
- How can we better address harmful legacies?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on material remnants may distract from moral accountability.
