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Life With Principle
Henry David Thoreau was one of America’s
greatest original thinkers. His words exemplify the kind of American
values that need to be communicated to young people in our world
today, especially at this time when American culture is too often
portrayed in an unfavorable light. Thoreau was an individual:
he was unconventional, honest, and free. His life was the epitome
of independence, and he articulated the combination of self-reliance
and responsibility that are keys to understanding the development
of the unique American character and vision.
Today America is under examination
by people of other cultures trying to understand what we are as
a nation, what we stand for, and what principles form the underpinnings
of our society. Americans themselves are seeking a better understanding
of what their country stands for, how they relate to their country
and the world.
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What does it means to be an American?
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How can we articulate our ideals in a way that makes sense to
us, and the societies that we live within?
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can we find that clear and compelling voice to articulate our
ideals?
One might ask the following:
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Why is Thoreau considered one of our greatest American writers?
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How did the man who went to live in the woods at Walden Pond
become an American institution?
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Why do Americans find Thoreau’s philosophy so appealing
even if they find it often impractical to live out?
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Why is it that so many Americans feel so strongly about Thoreau’s
ideas even as he questions their lifestyles?
The Thoreau
Society has worked to promote and preserve the works of Henry
David Thoreau so that their value may continue to be recognized
and utilized for generations to come, in America and throughout
the world. Thoreau is a true American Classic: a prominent character
in American literature and landscape; a living legacy.
A goal of the "Life With Principle"
DVD-ROM project is to investigate these questions in order to
explore what Americans believe about themselves, collectively
and individually.
Read the original text of Thoreau’s essay, “Life
without Principle.
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