On the Duty of Civil Disobedience

"On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau is a thought-provoking essay that looks closely at what people owe to their government versus what they owe to their own beliefs. It challenges the idea that citizens should blindly follow laws they think are wrong, pressing them to stand up for what they believe in, even if it means breaking the law. Thoreau believed that a government is only as good as its people's willingness to question it, and he sharply criticizes how easily society goes along with things like slavery and war. Using his own story of going to jail for refusing to pay a tax that supported slavery, he shows us that sticking to your morals is super important, arguing that we shouldn't let the government control our consciences but instead, be willing to face the consequences for doing what's right. This powerful message encourages resisting unfairness in society.