"It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes"

Henry David Thoreau's quote is a thought-provoking one that questions the role of clothes in society. He recommends that if people were to be removed of their clothing, their relative rank in society would be significantly altered. This implies that clothing is a significant consider identifying one's social standing. It is likely that Thoreau is suggesting that clothes is a shallow way of evaluating someone's worth, and that it needs to not be the main factor in determining one's social standing. He is likely suggesting that individuals should be judged based on their character and actions, instead of their clothing. Thoreau's quote is a suggestion that clothing must not be the main consider identifying someone's worth, which people should be judged based on their character and actions.