Question

question 17
2 points
when thoreau says in
esistance to civil government,\ that \the mass of men serve the state thus, not as men mainly,
but as machines.\ he means that
a when the government employs people instead of machines to do labor for the greater good of the community
\teveryone prospers
b people serve the government with their bodies, not their consciences
c the best way to serve the community is to answer when the government calls for help
d government use of more machines for projects would free people to do more productive things with their lives

Explanation:

Thoreau's statement is a critique of how people serve the state. When he says they serve as machines, he implies a lack of conscious, moral - based service. Option B aligns with this as machines (in a metaphorical sense) operate without conscience, just as people serving the state without using their consciences (like machines) would. Option A misinterprets the machine metaphor. Option C goes against the critical tone of Thoreau's statement. Option D also misinterprets the machine reference in the original quote.

Answer:

B. people serve the government with their bodies, not their consciences