What does Thoreau mean by the statement That government is best which governs not at all Henry David Thoreau begins his essay Civil Disobedience 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