Compare & Contrast of Paine and Thoreau - Essay Example

IntroductionPaine and Thoreau’s use of chastity and its relationship to the mind hold significance when human conditions are judged based on ethical principles. Although it appears that the understanding of both writers regarding chastity of mind is similar in various ways, there are certain aspects where both of them differ in clear cut way. It is interesting to note that both writers agree with the notion of spending life according to a predefined set of rules. In Paine’s opinion, these rules should originate from religion, whereas Thoreau assertion is that certain ethical or moral ‘principles’ should be followed to spend one’s life in the best possible way.

Chastity of mind is a state of human thinking where one happily accepts the adversities of life in order to ‘provide’ others with their rights and in doing so keeps his mind free from adulterations of all kinds. Comparison and ContrastBoth Paine and Thoreau associate chastity of mind to places of worship; Paine calls his mind a ‘church’ whereas Thoreau refers to it as ‘shrine’. Paine’s understanding of the concept of mental chastity relates to the inner and outer appearances of a person.

For him, a human being should portray and act according to his inner beliefs. If a person fails to act in accordance to his beliefs, he can be regarded as being corrupt. He relates this notion to the words ‘mental lying’; a very clever choice of words indeed. So, in Paine’s understanding, any person who has a habit of lying mentally loses his chastity of mind and this may be seen in different scenarios of life. Paine’s declaration that “He takes up the trade of a priest for the sake of gain” is a reflection of the contradiction that he refers to, when talking about chastity of mind.

On the other hand, Thoreau stresses the need to follow certain principles for leading a successful life. For him, principles should be followed in every matter of life. He refers to mind’s chastity by saying that “Or shall it be a quarter of heaven itself- an hypaethral temple, consecrated to the service of the gods?” . One can clearly judge the supreme level of purity that Thoreau expects from humans when he talks about the chastity of mind. A very prominent contrast that exists between Paine’s and Thoreau’s understanding is that Thoreau extends the application of mind’s chastity to the matters of life.

He talks about criminal courts, bar-rooms, judges, jury, auditors and witnesses; all of which related to matters of justice and accountability. He is of the opinion that justice and the related concepts should be enforced to reflect chastity of mind. Paine on the other hand, emphasizes the need to bring purity (mind’s chastity) into one’s life first and see justice and fairness as a manifestation of one’s inner beauty. ConclusionFrom the above discussion, it is clear that the understanding of both thinkers regarding chastity of mind is similar in a variety of ways.

Chastity of mind is used as a concept which is in close alignment to the religious and moral teachings and practicing this notion demands that the person becomes free from inner and out conflicts to deliver his best services towards the society in which one lives.