PEOPLE

PEOPLE

by : Ryel Christian M. Medina

The mass of men serve the state thus, not as men mainly, but as machines, with their bodies. They are the standing army, and the militia, jailers, constables, posse comitatus, etc. In most cases there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral sense; but they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and stones; and wooden men can perhaps be manufactured that will serve the purpose as well. Such command no more respect than men of straw or a lump of dirt. They have the same sort of worth only as horses and dogs. Yet such as these even are commonly esteemed good citizens. Others, as most legislators, politicians, lawyers, ministers, and office-holders, serve the state chiefly with their heads; and, as they rarely make any moral distinctions, they are as likely to serve the devil, without intending it, as God. A very few, as heroes, patriots, martyrs, reformers in the great sense, and men, serve the state with their consciences also, and so necessarily resist it for the most part; and they are commonly treated as enemies by it.

 -Henry David Thoreau

First of all, I chose the three types of people given in the statement. First is the men who serve the state just like machines. Second are others such as legislators, politicians, lawyers, ministers, and office-holders. Lastly, the few heroes patriots, martyrs, reformers in the great sense, and men.

The men who serve the state just like machines. These men are those who always follow instructions given by a certain leader. The leader is the one whose words are always right. A leader should know his/her members weakness and feedbacks. Sometimes the leader doesn’t do that. They always think they are the superior and perfect in everything. For example here in our country, there are many news stating that some maids are treated bad in their workplace.

Others such as legislators, politicians, lawyers, ministers, and office-holders. This group of individuals work. Basically, they work for themselves and for their family. Sometimes, one thing that is not good about these people is that they tend to be unfair. Just like the politicians and lawyers. Politicians are said to be corrupt people and based on what I see, I can say that it’s a fact. Some lawyers are said to be liars because they accept money and they will stick to their client even if they know that their client did the crime. Here in our country, it is visible. Example is people says that Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is a corrupt individual.

The few heroes patriots, martyrs, reformers in the great sense, and men. They are the great men and women in our society. They always speak of the right thing even if their lives are at risk. For example, I read something about Rizal’s death. When he was about to be killed, he looked back as a sign that he is not a traitor to the government.