Thursday, May 07, 2009

Mr. Henry David Thoreau: Ideas regarding clothing

An idea by Mr. Henry David Thoreau used to be one of my personal mottos.  It was “Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.” This was a good motto because it gave me a handy explanation for why I was unemployed, and why I did not wash my clothing enough.

Since it is nearing time to put my clothes on for work, I am thinking about clothing related quotes from Mr. Henry David Thoreau.  Surprisingly enough, there are lots of these.

  * Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts
  * I say beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes
  * Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new
  * Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends
  * It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes

I have noticed that Mr. Thoreau has used the word “interesting” in his ideas about clothes.  For this reason I am reinstating this word in my vocabulary even though Robin told me that it actually means “boring.”