Thoreau defines a happy life in a multitude of ways although his main idea is that society is not necessary for happiness. He uses many examples of why society is bad or has used its resources needlessly. He states that the post office isn't necessary because he has only received mail that's important or “worthy” once or twice in his entire life (Thoreau, Where I Lived and What For). Thoreau does finds many things in traditional society useless or a waste of resources. He also believes universities cannot teach him because he is above them and that libraries cannot give him reading materials that will improve him because he is to advanced (Thoreau, Reading). He finds that the best way to learn is without instructors and with oneself. How can