One would think, that a deliberate and practical denial of its authority was the only offence never contemplated by government; else, why has it not assigned its definite, its suitable and proportionate, penalty? If a man who has no property refuses but once to earn nine shillings for the State, he is put in prison for a period unlimited by any law that I know, and determined only by the discretion of those who placed him there; but if he should steal ninety times nine shillings from the State, he is soon permitted to go at large again.

My interpretation of this quote is that there is no time limit for a person who doesn't intentionally defiant to the regulations of authority. If a person steals there is a certain jail time that stated by law, that is to be served and then the person is free to repeat the same act. However, if a person should deny paying their taxes to the government the jail time is based on the discretion of the person that placed them there. This should not be because if regulations are placed for only some things, then it should be placed for all. This paragraph is related to the theme of civil disobedience because it shows how Thoreau is politically protesting as he is refusing to comply with the law. I chose this passage because I believe it is unethical for a person to reside in a state, not contribute to it and is protesting against it.