Thoreau's Way

  Henry David Thoreau was an American author, poet, and philosopher. He sought a peaceful and just society, one that cannot be understood by the eyes of the government. Thoreau believed that people should not participate in injustice, meaning they would have to do things that would somehow break the law. People shouldn't be forced to do things they don't want to do, his example was "paying taxes". By paying taxes the people were allowing the government to obtain weapons that would be used in the Mexican War, which was something Thoreau was against. Thoreau believed that those who are just are treated unjustly, and those who are unjust are treated justly because they follow the rules and laws of the government, he says:

  "Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison." 

Meaning; the government imprisons the innocent and gives freedom to the unjust.

All that Thoreau wants is for the world to be at peace with itself, and to not ignore the "little people" (the minority), because sometimes if not most of the times the minority are the ones with the just minds. 

English Assignment - What would Emerson think?

   This past week we took a literary piece called "Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Putting myself in Emerson's head wasn't an easy thing to do. His perspective of life and the way he looks at things intrigued me. But what if he were here right now? What would be the things he criticises, and what would be the things he praised? The internet for example is a world wide accessible source, where people can express themselves and be who they want to be. Emerson, being the nonconformist he is, would highly praise that idea. Something Emerson would harshly shun is how our grades determine what and who we are. Now a days students put an enormous amount of pressure on themselves because they think if they don't get a certain grade then they wont amount to anything. Emerson says "He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness." meaning: you shouldn't stop at one thing and take it into consideration just because it's titled that way, when you believe in yourself thats when the title really matters. A piece of paper with numbers on it shouldn't determine the rest of your future, it should be the satisfaction you get when you do finally realise where you are most happy and filled with everlasting triumph and satisfaction. 

                                               Success: Self Satisfaction

 Success is what happens after hard work, dedication and determination. Most of the well known successors around the world are philanthropists. Greed comes from a numerous collection of reasons, and success is not one of them. People who work hard to get where they want, and give back to those in need, are true successors.

 American business magnate Warren Buffett never failed to express his generosity. With all his success and money people would think that he’d spend most of his money on materialistic possessions, which is in fact the opposite. He has been living in the same small house for years and never thought of buying an expensive mansion. He never let his success get in the way of his humanity, he always gives back. With numerous charities and projects with countries that are facing poverty he manages to always remember those in need. His success and money does not satisfy him as much as being a philanthropist does.

 Well known programmer, inventor and philanthropist William Henry Bill Gates the third, always thinks of the less fortunate. He’s known for creating “Windows”, the multi million dollar winning program. He also created the “Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation” with his wife Melinda Gates. It is the largest operated foundation in the world, founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. It is "driven by the interests and passions of the Gates family” they said. The primary aim of the foundation is to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and in America, to expand educational opportunities and access to information about technology. Although he is one of the richest people in the world, he never forgets ‘the little people’. He didn’t let greed overcome his qualities as a person.

 A person with a high amount of success does not always let greed come in the way. There are those people who lose control of their humanity and are blinded by the amount of success and money they obtain. Other people choose not to allow even the smallest clot of greed get in there head, those people are worth looking up to. Success is not wealth or money, it is the feeling of self satisfaction. People who tend to get greedy with success are those who lack satisfaction from the “success” they possess.

Score: 5.5/6