On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (New Edition)

The essay critiques the moral implications of civil disobedience against unjust governmental actions, particularly in the context of war and slavery. Thoreau's personal act of defiance—refusing to pay taxes—highlights the struggle between individual conscience and societal norms. The text emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility in shaping collective conscience, arguing that even in a mass society, each person's moral stance is crucial. It calls for renewed recognition of the individual's role in challenging authority when it conflicts with personal ethics.