What would be thoreau’s response to his own rhetorical question: "how happens it that he who is said to enjoy these things (luxurious homes) is so commonly a poor civilized man, while the savage, who has them not, is rich as a savage? " explain thoreau’s comment that, "many are concerned about the monuments of the west and the east, to know who built them. for my part, i should like to know who in those days did not build them, - who were above such trifling." to his offer of a mat, thoreau, "declined it, preferring to wipe my feet on the sod before my door. it is best to avoid the beginnings of evil." obviously the word "evil" is hyperbole, but what is his point? why would a mat be "evil"? according to thoreau, how should man live? answer in three words, including the word "and". what should each person do rather than copy another? what is thoreau’s view of philanthropists? is thoreau a philanthropist? why or why not? what, according to thoreau, motivates people to engage in philanthropy? on what should man not fix his heart?