“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation”

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation”

Henry David Thoreau

Often mistakenly followed by –

“…and go to the grave with the song still in them”.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

…which was from a different poem entirely.

Thoreau is imploring us to wake up, stop chasing useless things, and live a simple, honest life that we choose for ourselves. Not what we are programmed to pursue, as it is hollow.

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