Spiller Misquotes Thoreau

Editor,

In the December 1st issue of the CVF, letter writer Frederick Spiller quotes (misquotes rather) Thoreau writing, “For every dozen hacking at the roots of evil, there is one hacking at the roots.” Full disclosure: I’ve never heard of this quote but I do know that as written, the quote sounds silly and makes no sense. Curiosity caused me to look it up leading me to discover Thoreau actually said, “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” So I must ask Frederick Spiller, do you even Google bro?

–Robert Supriano, Castro Valley