Henry David Thoreau Group

Question:

omgjannelly
omgjannelly
Student
High School - 11th Grade

What does "keep your accounts on a thumbnail" mean?

Rate question:

Posted by omgjannelly on Saturday December 6, 2008 at 5:57 PM and tagged with henry david thoreau, keep your accounts on a thumbnail, quote, thoreau.

Answers:

  1. dneshan
    dneshan Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Thoreau's entire essay entitled "Walden" concentrates on simplifying life.  Therefore, where he says to "keep your accounts on a thumbnail" he means that people should not owe money to anyone and if they do, then it should be a small, minor amount.  Thoreau makes a few references to being modest and not overspending and this is one of them.  Basically, he wants people to live as he does -- in the simplest way, without any worries (without any money worries if you look at this quote in particular).

    Rate answer:

    Posted by dneshan on Saturday December 6, 2008 at 6:14 PM