“I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion.” 

Criticism of the State: Thoreau realized that the government is “half-witted” and “timid.” It does not know its friends from its foes. He pitied it for depending on force instead of reason. His imprisonment revealed that the State fights ideas with chains, not with truth. 

New Vision of Society: When Thoreau came out of prison, he looked at his community with new eyes. He saw people’s fear, hypocrisy, and blind obedience. They did not greatly propose to do right. This experience made him feel separate from them, yet stronger in conviction.

In short, Thoreau weighed his imprisonment as a moral victory. Jail freed his soul from the government’s power. It taught him that conscience stands above law, and that true liberty lives in moral courage, not physical comfort.