Do most of us lead lives of quiet desperation? Was Thoreau right?

Answer 1

Right in a way.Life is full of stress,and we must learn to rise above it.THAT is the tough part,and the 'quiet desperation' comes from trying to figure out a way to do just that!

Answer 2

Yes, many of us do... I believe Thoreau was referring to the place that many folks these days don't get to until they are at least in their 30's: when you're maintaining your life, not living it.

We spend our twenties getting our lives together... often getting education; getting the jobs and career advancement we want; getting a mate and a family; obtaining a home and car; etc.

Somewhere along the line, when we've got these things in place we stop reaching and achieving and settle into a life where we focus on meeting obligations (like car payments) rather than moving on to new horizons, asking questions, growing, etc.

Many just keep their heads down and keep trudging forward, looking neither to the left nor the right, not realizing that they've stopped living and are now merely existing. Some look around and say "how did I get HERE? What is the point of this life?" A few, like Thoreau, decide that (to paraphrase Walden) they don't want to come to the end of their lives and find they haven't lived... so they strike out and make major changes.

That's harder and more frightening than someone who hasn't been there can understand. Most, therefore, don't make that move and quietly live a life that is okay, but not the life they truly want... quiet desperation.

Answer 3

Great thought processes here. I particularly like the one from John S......."most men live lives of quiet disappointment"

I couldn't agree with that more. Women probably even more so. We settle for things most often, especially after having achieved what we set to achieve.
That pot of gold is not at the end of the rainbow, but over the hill where the next rainbow will appear.

Very few of us are ever really satisfied over the long term. Disappointment reigns and then we die.
Really makes one wonder what the heck it's all about, doesn't it?

Answer 4

I believe, though I have nothing at hand to check it with, that the adage is not by Thoreau, but by a French thinker, and it may have been Denis Diderot.

I myself think that most men pass through periods of desperation, quiet or frantic, but that these are balanced, for the ordinary life, by periods of ebullient hope and positive expectations that enable us to lift our heads and go on anticipating some better times ahead.

What I feel rather certain of is that at the end, as we are trying to figure out how to wind it all up, most men live lives of quiet disappointment. The best moment in life may be sliding out of it into eternity in the arms of someone who loves us.

Answer 5

i would not say most of us, though it might apply to a few,,,,, others carry on with calm determination,,,,,,, or excited determination,,,,,, without traces of desperation,,,,,,,, i would think that nowdays there is much more opportunity for major life changes then was true in Thoreau's day,,,,,, and being able to change situations/conditions to a great extent eliminates the desperation (which can come from long term striving for a goal but not being able to reach it)

Answer 6

I believe that we do. Our struggles in everyday life just to live from day to day is done quietly in a loud way. In general, we are desperate to find the answers to who we are and why we are. Granted, some can care less and are lost. The lost ones cannot find what they are seeking so they get into drugs, depression, homelessness, mental illness, etc. Our desperation is something that will never end until we die. We will always have struggles to find peace within.

Answer 7

Thoreau was a manic-depressive, overrated has-been, even although he was more like a never-was. I guess you just have to die to be appreciated these days... No, our desparation is louder than ever; maybe in his heyday, those who presented their despair were thought of as whiny, but this is the 21st century, and our cries for help ring throughout the ears of all. Thoreau may have been right back then, but "nowadays", he is completely wrong.

Answer 8

melancholy is continually quiet, there is not any theatric way or public statement that ought to count number as the same-- you're then coming to address it indirectly, and negating it interior the approach. convinced, maximum individuals melancholy-- fleeing from what's at stake. is this extremely a tremendous perception or only a better quote to modify yet another? I see no victories right here.

Answer 9

Thoreau noticed a symptom, not a cause. He never offered a solution either - but thats for another forum, though.

Answer 10

Context, context, context.
Thoreau was probably right but remember this most famous quote is taken from his essay on ECONOMICS and was referring to peoples own financial state of affairs.
Fair also to note that Henry died in a state of poverty.