On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (Version 2)-Henry David Thoreau

Ralph Waldo Emerson Works Collection · Oct 4, 2026 · 1h 2m

"On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau is a powerful essay that advocates for individual resistance to civil government in moral opposition to unjust laws. Thoreau argues that citizens have a duty to act according to their conscience, rather than blindly following the dictates of the state. This timeless work remains relevant today as it challenges listeners to consider the role of personal ethics in the face of societal pressures and governmental authority. Thoreau's call for civil disobedience resonates with contemporary movements for social justice, making it an…