Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Timely quote -

"Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind."

O.K., when you read the above quote what luxuries and comforts do you think about ? T.V., computers, the internet, cellphones, etc. ? I guess the case could be made for any of the above (and more) - things that have become seemingly indispensable but in some respects hindrances to our elevation.

But here's what makes it even more interesting - the quote is from Walden published in 1854 by Henry David Thoreau. I wonder what luxuries and comforts he had in mind, we can be sure it wasn't those I mentioned. In all likelihood anything he considered a luxury would not be so considered by us. Would his luxuries be our bare necessities? Imagine what he would think of our luxuries!

No comments: