it is the essence of amiability to prefer to say YES where it
is possible. There is something wanting in the man who does
not hate himself whenever he is constrained to say no. And
there was a great deal wanting in this born dissenter. He
was almost shockingly devoid of weaknesses; he had not enough
of them to be truly polar with humanity; whether you call him
demi-god or demi-man, he was at least not altogether one of
us, for he was not touched with a feeling of our infirmities.
The world's heroes have room for all positive qualities, even
those which are disreputable, in the capacious theatre of
their dispositions. Such can live many lives; while a
Thoreau can live but one, and that only with perpetual
foresight.

He was no ascetic, rather an Epicurean of the nobler sort;
and he had this one great merit, that he succeeded so far as
to be happy. "I love my fate to the core and rind," he wrote
once; and even while he lay dying, here is what he dictated
(for it seems he was already too feeble to control the pen):
"You ask particularly after my health. I SUPPOSE that I have
not many months to live, but of course know nothing about it.
I may say that I am enjoying existence as much as ever, and
regret nothing." It is not given to all to bear so clear a
testimony to the sweetness of their fate, nor to any without
courage and wisdom; for this world in itself is but a painful
and uneasy place of residence, and lasting happiness, at
least to the self-conscious, comes only from within. Now
Thoreau's content and ecstasy in living was, we may say, like
a plant that he had watered and tended with womanish
solicitude; for there is apt to be something unmanly,