Final answer:
Thoreau advises those living difficult lives to focus on simplicity, self-reliance, and inner richness, rather than blaming external circumstances or giving up what little they have. His principles of living modestly and with integrity, exemplified by his own life at Walden Pond, offer guidance on nonconformity and personal freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thoreau offers advice to those who are poor or otherwise live difficult lives through his writings, particularly in Walden. He emphasizes the importance of living a simple life, unencumbered by the unnecessary complexities of society. To this end, he provides insights like "In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous." He further believed in self-reliance and insisted on thrift and self-respect. Thoreau encourages those in difficult circumstances not to give up what little they have, but rather to seek liberation through self-sufficiency and to live modestly, focusing on the essential aspects of life and cultivating an inner richness.
Although he does not blame the upper classes directly, his work does suggest a critique of societal structures that impede individual freedom. His stay at Walden Pond was a practical demonstration of his beliefs, where he literally built his own house, grew his own food, and lived with minimal dependence on others. He believes in living with integrity, even going to jail for his principles as described in "Civil Disobedience", showing a path of standing up against the government's misuse of funds in a nonviolent way.While Thoreau's life at Walden Pond may not be feasible for everyone, his call for simplicity, personal responsibility, and nonconformity can be applied in various ways in one's life. His philosophies have inspired countless individuals, such as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., to stand by their principles and challenge societal and governmental injustices through peaceful means.