A Man of Nature
Henry Thoreau attempted to confront the problem and solve the enigma of
how one might earn a living and yet not become an ignominious slave to the 
task. He viewed the industrial revolution with antipathy. Man in a servile
role to extraneous possessions was a main target of his writings. He believed
that one could attain genuine wealth not by accumulating objects or money, but
through enjoyment and perusal of nature. By his own volition he gave up 
friends and comforts for a two year sojourn by himself at Walden Pond. What 
others might judges as penury, was seen by Thoreau as the epitome of wealth.


to tighten one's belt--to get set for bad times or poverty.
He knew he would have to draw in his horns and tighten his belt or he
would wind up on skid row.