Question

Read the excerpt from Walden.

Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb-nail.
Which best describes the purpose of the “thumb-nail” imagery?
It illustrates Thoreau’s belief that a person’s responsibilities should include some manual labor.
It illustrates Thoreau’s belief that most people waste their time attending to their bodies’ needs.
It emphasizes Thoreau’s belief that people should carefully choose their commitments.
It emphasizes Thoreau’s belief that people should carefully record their accounts.

Answer 1

It’s the third choice. The thumbnail image shows keeping things very small and simple—pick only a few commitments to manage rather than keeping detailed, many accounts.