Thoreau’s Journal: on writing (why and how)

I have already written a couple of essays on Henry David Thoreau (here and here), because his brand of personal philosophy — within the broader umbrella of American Transcendentalism — fits very much the mold of practical philosophy to which Figs in Winter is devoted. Here I wish to briefly comment on some excerpts from his personal journal (published as part of a broader collection edited by Jeffrey S. Cramer), partly because of its inherent interest, and partly because of course journaling is a major Stoic technique (as evident from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations), though implemented somewhat differently from what Thoreau does.

“Though I write every day, yet when I say a good thing it seems as if I wrote but rarely.” (26 February 1841)

It’s a thought shared by pretty much every writer, and that one wishes were more common in this era of instantaneous publishing on the web, since the clutter resulting from ignoring this basic truth is threatening to destroy public discourse. The notion, moreover, could profitably be turned into a personal rule of conduct, as Epictetus does:

“When you’re called upon to speak, then speak, but never about banalities like gladiators, horses, sports, food and drink — common-place stuff. Above all don’t gossip about people, praising, blaming or comparing them.” (Enchiridion 33.2)

That is, be mindful that much of what you are inclined to speak (or write) about is just not that interesting or worth putting out there. Thoreau clearly thinks that writing is, or at the least should be, tightly interwoven with actual living:

“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live!” (19 August 1851)

He is talking about the necessity to have something interesting to say as a result of first person experience, but the Stoic notion that “practice” (i.e., living) is what makes “theory” (i.e., philosophizing) worth the effort is not far from that sentiment.

“Having by chance recorded a few disconnected thoughts and then brought them into juxtaposition, they suggest a whole new field in which it was possible to…