Civil Disobedience

Essay | Henry David Thoreau
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What does Thoreau mean by the statement, “That government is best which governs not at all?”

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What does Thoreau mean by the statement, “That government is best which governs not at all”? [2018]

Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) begins his essay “Civil Disobedience” (1849) with a bold, clear claim. He says the best rule is a very small rule. He then pushes it to the end. He dreams of a free, moral people. Then the law would hardly need to act.

From Least to None: He first accepts, 

“That government is best which governs least.”

 Carried thoroughly, it means “governs not at all.” He does not want chaos, though. He wants better people first. When people act justly, rule becomes needless. 

Conscience over Majority: Thoreau distrusts mere counting of votes. He asks, 

“Can there not be a government… but conscience?” 

Majorities can choose comfort over justice. Conscience chooses right over ease. So the ideal state serves conscience. It leaves moral choices to citizens.

Men before Subjects: Law should not

crush the person within. Thoreau writes, 

“We should be men first, and subjects afterward.” 

A subject only obeys power. A man follows truth and right. When citizens are moral first, laws shrink. Then the state scarcely needs commands.

Consent and Justice: True rule needs free agreement, not fear. He says, 

“To be strictly just, [a government] must have the sanction and consent of the governed.” 

Consent grows when rulers respect persons. Respect grows when citizens act uprightly. Then force becomes rare and light.

In short, the line represents a moral ideal. When citizens live by conscience, the state relaxes. Power serves persons, then quietly withdraws. Justice stands without heavy rule. In that future, freedom and duty meet.

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Henry David Thoreau
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from Civil Disobedience