"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root"

This quote by Henry David Thoreau is a tip to concentrate on the origin of an issue instead of the signs. It suggests that many individuals are trying to attend to the symptoms of a problem, such as hardship, inequality, or injustice, however few are putting in the time to identify and deal with the underlying causes. Thoreau is motivating us to believe seriously and to act that will have an enduring effect. He is suggesting that we must not be content with merely dealing with the signs of a problem, however instead must aim to identify and resolve the source. By doing so, we can produce enduring change and make a genuine difference worldwide.