Why does Thoreau say that the rich are less likely to practice civil disobedience?

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Why does Thoreau say that the rich are less likely to practice civil disobedience In his famous essay Civil Disobedience Henry David Thoreau explains why the rich seldom resist the State Wealth brings comfort fear and ties to power The rich think first of property and safety They avoid risk and prison So they rarely choose to engage in civil disobedience Thoreau shows this with clear sharp examples More to Lose Rich people have much to lose in protest Prison risks property and trade The State may seize and waste goods Families may suffer hardship and fear So the rich keep quiet Their caution blocks bold moral action against wrong Wealth Weakens Virtue Thoreau links wealth with moral decline He writes Absolutely speaking the more money the less virtue Wealth turns minds to ease not duty Such softness avoids brave public resistance Comfort over Conscience Comfort changes a person s

habits and hopes The rich love routine and peace They fear shocks to business and home Thoreau urges action not comfort He says Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine Yet comfort dulls that call Ease makes courage late Tied to Institutions To gain wealth many serve institutions They play by the rules of profit Then they defend those rules not justice Their vote becomes private influence only Thoreau warns Cast your whole vote not a strip of paper merely but your whole influence But wealth often narrows influence to self-interest True sacrifice fades In conclusion Thoreau s view is calm and firm The rich avoid civil disobedience because wealth breeds fear comfort and ties It buys quiet not courage Thus reform needs leaner lives and free minds Only then can conscience lead steady public action

Civil Disobedience

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Why does Thoreau say that the rich are less likely to practice civil disobedience?

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Henry David Thoreau

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