this post was submitted on 16 Oct 2023
30 points (100.0% liked)

Simple Living

2512 readers
1 users here now

Live better, with less

Ideas and inspiration for living more simply. A place to share tips on living with less stuff, work, speed, or stress in return for gaining more freedom, time, self-reliance, and joy.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

I've read a few books about simple living/minimalism but I just finished 'Walden' and wow... it's beautiful. Many patient observations of simple natural phenomenon are wonderful meditations and potent lessons. It seemed just as relevant to present times as to when it was written. I finished feeling like there's so much more to extract from that book, definitely going to read again!

Maybe you were aware, but if not I wanted to share with you fine folks in case you've missed this gem like I had. It is in the public domain in the US (published 1854) so you can get the ebook or audiobook for free from Project Gutenberg!

top 8 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Spzi@lemm.ee 6 points 1 year ago

One thing I found really inspiring was his stance towards the war with Mexico, and his comment on being imprisoned: "The bars are meant to separate good from bad people."

[–] tinycarnivoroussheep@possumpat.io 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's pretty but my opinion is biased by the knowledge that he had a housekeeper and also he was freeloading on his buddy Emerson's property. But I should read it again because it is pretty.

[–] GrappleHat@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] tinycarnivoroussheep@possumpat.io 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

He at least borrowed female labor from Emmerson if he didn't hire himself. What was he gonna do, wash his own underwear?

[–] GrappleHat@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thoreau describes the cabin as a single 10 x 15' room with very few possessions, so there wouldn't be much to clean. And he spent a significant amount of the book describing cleaning routines. So yeah, I expected no housekeeper for sure.

What's your source for the housekeeper claim? I tried some internet searching but couldn't find anything mentioning a housekeeper.

[–] tinycarnivoroussheep@possumpat.io 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Entirely possible I'm misremembering something I read for class as far as housekeepers, but chances are strong that he sent out his laundry, because laundry was heavy work.

[–] aredhel@mander.xyz 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

He didn't need a housekeeper, because his mother did his laundry and brought him food.

[–] tinycarnivoroussheep@possumpat.io 2 points 11 months ago

lol, even better