In Walden by Henry David Thoreau,
The paragraph beginning “However mean your life is, meet it and live it” (top of 993) has many great ideas. What is the overall theme of this paragraph? What does he mean by “Sell your clothes; keep your thoughts”?
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The overall theme of the paragraph beginning “However mean your life is, meet it and live it” is embracing simplicity and contentment. Thoreau encourages readers to fully embrace and live their lives, regardless of the perceived insignificance or "meanness" of their circumstances. He suggests that one should not be preoccupied with material possessions or societal expectations, but instead focus on cultivating their thoughts and inner life.
When Thoreau mentions, "Sell your clothes; keep your thoughts," he is emphasizing the importance of prioritizing one's intellectual and spiritual well-being over material possessions. He suggests that it is more valuable to invest in developing one's inner thoughts, ideas, and sense of self, rather than being consumed by the pursuit of external wealth or status. Thoreau believes that true fulfillment and richness of life come from within, through the nourishment of one's intellectual and philosophical pursuits.