the Thoreau Log.
31 January 1841. Concord, Mass.

Thoreau writes in his journal:

  At each step man measures himself against the system. If he cannot actually belay the sun and make it fast to this planet, yet the British man alone spins a yarn in one year which will reach fifty-one times the distance from the earth to the sun.

  So, having his cable ready twisted and coiled, the fixed stars are virtually within his grasp. He carries his lasso coiled at his saddle bow, but is never forced to cast it.

(Journal, 1:188-190)

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