Whatever the practical value of the Walden experiment may be, there is no question that the book is one of the most vital and pithy ever written.

The closing words form the epitaph engraved on his tombstone:

"Do not think too much of the dead husk of your friend or mourn too much over it but send your thoughts out towards the real soul or self which has escaped — to reach it. During 1886 he had a brief relationship with George Hukin[citation needed] who was employed in the Sheffield razor trade; despite Hukin's subsequent marriage which caused a rift between them the men ultimately formed a close and lifelong friendship. Their remoteness from society allowed Carpenter to indulge in naturism which he believed was a symbol of a life at one with nature.

K. Lawrence and Aurobindo and inspired E. H.