Hank and Jesus: Holy Alliance

Perhaps if one pretends their poverty is voluntary it will seem less miserable. Act like it is a vow, to concentrate on heaven’s treasures. Three-day beard and dirty shirt are acceptable for a free-lance monk. Use the same bowl for haircuts and begging. Just say Om.

“The life which men praise and regard as successful is but one kind. Why should we exaggerate any one kind at the expense of the others?”

All the stuff everyone carries around—what a country full of useless crap. Better to give it all away, be poor on purpose. If one’s car breaks down, let a charity haul it off, and be done with it. Big deal. Get rid of the bicycle too; walk, take the bus, or hitchhike.

“Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.”

No one has ever died from wearing the same pants four days in a row. “Fashion” exists for one reason: to make sure people buy too many clothes. You have more than you need; get rid of ‘em.

“…the principal object is, not that mankind may be well and honestly clad, but, unquestionably, that the corporations may be enriched.”

Plan life like an extended backpacking trip. One extra set of clothes, a little stove. A can opener, a toothbrush, the bowl, a spoon. Sell all else and get a warm bedroll and sturdy boots.

“No way of thinking or doing, however ancient, can be trusted without proof. What everybody echoes or in silence passes by as true to-day may turn out to be falsehood tomorrow, mere smoke of opinion.”

Freedom! Imagine, every unemployed human wandering around, begging, looking for work, stealing. Making the rich people nervous. Beginning the revolution: occupying the world!

“None can be an impartial or wise observer of human life but from the vantage ground of what we should call voluntary poverty.

“When he [or she!] has obtained those things which are necessary to life, there is another alternative than to obtain the superfluities; and that is, to adventure on life now….”

(All quotes so far by Hank Thoreau, Walden, 1854.)

There’s nothing we can do to the greedy bastards who took so much from us; their lawyers and government minions work overtime to protect them from justice. But we can walk away. If we refuse all further participation in the culture of acquisition, we cut ‘em off at their source. If no one buys what they are selling, they eventually end up camped in the woods with us, wondering what’s for dinner.

“…Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” The Holy Bible, New International Version, Luke 12:15

“…do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” Luke 12:22-23

(Last two quotes from the Jesus whom Christians pretend to worship. If they ever actually followed His teachings, capitalism would collapse and world revolution would begin.)