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carry in our minds the bearing of some neighboring cape； and not
till we are completely lost； or turned round for a man needs only
to be turned round once with his eyes shut in this world to be lost
do we appreciate the vastness and strangeness of nature。 Every
man has to learn the points of compass again as often as be awakes；
whether from sleep or any abstraction。 Not till we are lost； in
other words not till we have lost the world； do we begin to find
ourselves； and realize where we are and the infinite extent of our
relations。
One afternoon； near the end of the first summer； when I went to
the village to get a shoe from the cobbler's； I was seized and put
into jail； because； as I have elsewhere related； I did not pay a tax
to； or recognize the authority of； the State which buys and sells
men； women； and children； like cattle； at the door of its
senate…house。 I had gone down to the woods for other purposes。
But； wherever a man goes； men will pursue and paw him with their
dirty institutions； and； if they can； constrain him to belong to
their desperate odd…fellow society。 It is true； I might have
resisted forcibly with more or less effect； might have run 〃amok〃
against society； but I preferred that society should run 〃amok〃
against me； it being the desperate party。 However； I was released
the next day； obtained my mended shoe； and returned to the woods in
season to get my dinner of huckleberries on Fair Haven Hill。 I was
never molested by any person but those who represented the State。 I
had no lock nor bolt but for the desk which held my papers； not even
a nail to put over my latch or windows。 I never fastened my door
night or day； though I was to be absent several days； not even when
the next fall I spent a fortnight in the woods of Maine。 And yet my
house was more respected than if it had been surrounded by a file of
soldiers。 The tired rambler could rest and warm himself by my fire；
the literary amuse himself with the few books on my table； or the
curious； by opening my closet door； see what was left of my dinner；
and what prospect I had of a supper。 Yet； though many people of
every class came this way to the pond； I suffered no serious
inconvenience from these sources； and I never missed anything but
one small book； a volume of Homer； which perhaps was improperly
gilded； and this I trust a soldier of our camp has found by this
time。 I am convinced； that if all men were to live as simply as I
then did； thieving and robbery would be unknown。 These take place
only in communities where some have got more than is sufficient
while others have not enough。 The Pope's Homers would soon get
properly distributed。
〃Nec bella fuerunt；
Faginus astabat dum scyphus ante dapes。〃
〃Nor wars did men molest；
When only beechen bowls were in request。〃
〃You who govern public affairs； what need have you to employ
punishments？ Love virtue； and the people will be virtuous。 The
virtues of a superior man are like the wind； the virtues of a common
man are like the grass I the grass； when the wind passes over it；
bends。〃