>>514682218 (OP)
Thoreau had that same skepticism. He didn't advocate, though?, for mass freedom or unshackling but merely for a minority to be allowed to go their own way.
On minority conscience vs. majority rule
“Any man more right than his neighbors constitutes a majority of one already.” (Civil Disobedience)
On skepticism toward government and mass movements
“That government is best which governs not at all.” (Civil Disobedience)
(yet he doesn’t demand its immediate abolition—only that individuals withdraw their support from injustice).
On the individual’s duty vs. collective freedom
“It is not a man’s duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong; he may still properly have other concerns to engage him; but it is his duty, at least, to wash his hands of it…” (Civil Disobedience)
On living apart, not reforming the masses
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” (Walden)
