Thoreau is quoted saying, “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root, and it may be that he who bestows the largest amount of time and money on the needy is doing the most by his mode of life to produce that misery which he strives in vain to relieve.”
From this quote it can be inferred that Thoreau's points if view on philanthropy are stern. Too many people are just throwing money at problems with little hope. People must spend time and find the source of the problem in order to end it. Throwing money at problems cannot attack the roots of the problem, it can only temporarily nullify it. Thoreau continues to point this out as he talks about the flaws of philanthropy. Thoreau's feelings are also felt that is man really doing good actions for the good of other people or for the good of themselves, “There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted. It is human, it is divine, carrion. If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life." Thoreau's quote opens up a new light to philanthropy, for he believes that many people really commit these actions for the good of other people, but in the meanwhile, also for the good of themselves.
Thoreau's perspective on philanthropy is a different yet very thought out. Over the whole book Walden, Thoreau has made me view many things in life in a different way. All of my preconceived notions that I had were shown in a different light by Thoreau, especially throughout this whole chapter. After reading The Fallacy of Philanthropy I am left asking myself, do people really do good for others or for themselves?
From this quote it can be inferred that Thoreau's points if view on philanthropy are stern. Too many people are just throwing money at problems with little hope. People must spend time and find the source of the problem in order to end it. Throwing money at problems cannot attack the roots of the problem, it can only temporarily nullify it. Thoreau continues to point this out as he talks about the flaws of philanthropy. Thoreau's feelings are also felt that is man really doing good actions for the good of other people or for the good of themselves, “There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted. It is human, it is divine, carrion. If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life." Thoreau's quote opens up a new light to philanthropy, for he believes that many people really commit these actions for the good of other people, but in the meanwhile, also for the good of themselves.
Thoreau's perspective on philanthropy is a different yet very thought out. Over the whole book Walden, Thoreau has made me view many things in life in a different way. All of my preconceived notions that I had were shown in a different light by Thoreau, especially throughout this whole chapter. After reading The Fallacy of Philanthropy I am left asking myself, do people really do good for others or for themselves?
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