Page:Winter - from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.djvu/12

iv these things because he believed they would stand in the way of his truest life, and to attain that, as far as possible, he knew to be his first business in the world. Even in a philanthropic point of view, any superficial benefit he might confer by throwing himself into the current of society would be as nothing compared with the loss of real power and influence which would result from disobedience to his highest instincts. "Ice that merely performs the office of a burning glass does not do its duty." It was not sufficient for him to entertain and express as an author "subtle thoughts," but he aspired rather "so to love wisdom as to live, according to its dictates, a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust," "to solve some of the problems of life not only theoretically, but practically." It is the clear insight early creating a deep, persistent determination so to live, rather than his genius, which gives value to Thoreau's work, though this insight itself may well be regarded as the highest form of genius. It is the attitude one takes toward the world, far more than any abilities he may possess, which gives significance to his life. It has been well said by Brownlee Brown that "courage, piety, wit, zeal, learning, eloquence, avail nothing, unless the man is right."