I am really puzzled by this quote. In Walden, Thoreau constantly stresses the importance of living simply, forgetting material needs, and the fallacy of mindless, industrialized work. Yet here he seems to be supporting laissez fair capitalism. I think Thoreau, who was Anarchist, probably had too much faith in people's ability to govern themselves, and didn't foresee the problems brought about by corporate control today. Indeed, government is best which governs least, but today the government is in bed with the corporations.