I remembered something (probably the oddest comment on Thoreau ever made) that a Cornell prof told me twenty-five years ago. He said that Thoreau was ‘all right, but I wish he had more get-up-and-go.’ I treasure that remark, and when the pain in my neck is bad I comfort myself with it, and go around muttering ‘The god damn son of a bitch had no get-up-and-go.’
E.B. White