On Civil Disobedience - 1.20.16

"There are nine hundred and ninety-nine patrons of virtue to one virtuous man," according to Thoreau (paragraph 10). Do you agree with his assertion? Write a response about someone you regard as virtuous according to Thoreau's characterization. Refer specifically to Thoreau's text in your response. 

I do agree with Thoreau's assertion that there are "ninety-nine patrons of virtue to one virtuous man," partly because he is saying that one out of every ninety-nine people are virtuous in themselves, and the other 98 people are going to be people who give on occasions like charity or donations. Someone who I regard as virtuous would be my own mother, as she is loving and giving. However, she is also "hesitates.. regrets.. and petitions." (Thoreau 1020) She has always been honest with me on many topics, but she also petitions (or fights against decisions) with my father, and various other people, even if the decisions are just going to my grandparents house for a holiday dinner. The way that Thoreau says that an honest man and patriot will do nothing in earnest and with effect. Personally, I believe that this means that they will not just sit around and do something that needs to be done, but do something that ultimately has to be done and have that effect other things. I can connect that statement with my own mother as she has never just sat around waiting for something to be done, she is always on her feet and making sure that it gets done and will effect other things happen.