Aesthetic Moment: Thoreau

It seems that every artist I read about has something to say about freedom and how important it is in their creativity.  This is from the writings of Henry David Thoreau:

I rejoice that horses and steers have to be broken before they can be made the slaves of men, and that men themselves have some wild oats still to sow before they become submissive members of society.  Undoubtedly all men are not equally fit subjects for civilization; and because the majority, like dogs and sheep, are tame by inherited disposition, this is no reason why the others should have their natures broken that they may be reduced to the same level.  Men are mainly alike, but they were made several in order that they might be various.  If a low use is to be served, one man will do quite as well as another; if a high one, individual excellence is to be regarded.  Any man can stop a hole to keep the wind away.