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Which two phrases from the text best support the answer to part a civil disobedience by Henry Thoreau

User Jgong
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2 Answers

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Final answer:

To support the answer to the civil disobedience question, the phrases "that government is best which governs not at all" and "Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison" from Thoreau's works effectively encapsulate his advocacy for minimal government and passive resistance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the analysis of Henry David Thoreau's thematic emphasis on individual freedom and civil disobedience, particularly in his works "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" and "Walden; or, Life in the Woods" as discussed in Alex Jones' essay. To support the answer to part a, two key phrases from Thoreau's text can be cited. Firstly, "that government is best which governs not at all", which highlights Thoreau's philosophy of minimal government intervention. Secondly, "Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison", which reinforces the concept of passive resistance by demonstrating personal adherence to principles even at the cost of one's own freedom.

These phrases encapsulate Thoreau's argument for the right to resist authority when it is unjust and his approach to living a life free from societal dictates.

User Nclark
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Final answer:

The two phrases from the text that best support the answer to part a, civil disobedience by Henry Thoreau, are: "It has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will." and "That government is best which governs not at all;"

The answer is option ⇒2 and 3

Step-by-step explanation:

1. The phrase "It has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will" supports the idea of civil disobedience. Thoreau suggests that individuals have more power and influence than the government. He argues that an individual can defy unjust laws and shape them according to their own will, emphasizing the importance of personal agency and the potential impact of civil disobedience.

2. The phrase "That government is best which governs not at all;" reflects Thoreau's belief in limited government interference. He advocates for a government that minimally interferes in people's lives, allowing individuals to exercise their own judgment and moral compass. This supports the idea that civil disobedience can be a response to an overreaching or oppressive government.

These two phrases highlight Thoreau's stance on civil disobedience, emphasizing the power of individuals to challenge unjust laws and the importance of a limited government that respects individual rights and freedoms.

The answer is option ⇒2 and 3

Your question is incomplete, but most probably the full question was:

Which two phrases from the text best support the answer to part a civil disobedience by Henry Thoreau

  1. "I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right. "
  2. "It has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will."
  3. "That government is best which governs not at all;"
  4. "But when the friction comes to have its machine, and oppression and robbery are organized, I say, let us not have such a machine any longer"
  1. "I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion.
User MedElmaachi
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