Page:Autumn. From the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.djvu/14

vi But probably few of us know better than he did, that an unworthy self-regard is fatal to the object he had in view.

Though deeply interested and sometimes active in the cause of human freedom, he commonly took little part in works of philanthropy and reform. Had he done otherwise, we should probably have lost from his character somewhat of that strong personal element which, though more quiet in its operation than associated schemes of reform, is doubtless the most powerful influence in the progress of mankind. THE EDITOR.