@SmashTheState although a well targeted quote, it may be out of context. Since in Walden Thoreau aims at self-improvement, a focus in internal wealth vs what the ordinary joe’s pursuit thinks may be actually of ‘good’. In that sense, he does not want the common conception of ‘good’ forced on him, that good – which is the plain view of wealth. Not avoiding harm for example. He wants to fight the blind zombie-like dehumanization, but what is more dehumanizing than being victim to abuse, let alone being a child.
If there are a few examples where learned helplessness makes a victim unable to reach out and ask for your help, this is definitely among the top.
So, which part of Thoreau’s attempt for self-improvement untangled from traditional values supports becoming someone who sits idly by. Here we’re not imposing the materialistic sense of good on that little girl’s misfortune, instead defend basic human rights. Which invokes a questioning of the ethical grounds behind this thinking. I think Thoreau would instead be in favor, helping reform both one self and this unfortunate victim. Being in that state, you’re often not even in the luxury to even enjoy the plain ‘goods’ such as ordinary wealth – let alone not be touched by them by achieving higher spiritual wealth.
Sure, in a Kantian way, you cannot control the consequences of your actions regardless of the intent, but you ought to act by a maxim that makes sense for the whole.