Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson


Self-Reliance Essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson

“To believe your own thoughts, to believe what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, — that is genius.” Emerson in Self-Reliance discusses individualism, non-conformity, religion, and society's role in shaping our behaviour. He argues that instead of following others we should do what we think is suitable. He believes that the essence of life lies in non-conformity. If a person lives a life of conformity it is worthless. Emerson gives examples of famous men and intellectuals whose names are written in the records of history, such as Plato, Aristotle, Mosses and Milton who have not read much but spoke their hearts out. Emerson says that when we read a work of genius we find our own rejected thoughts.
 

There is a time when one realizes that envy is ignorance; imitation is suicide; and nothing is achievable without toil. A person feels elevated when he puts his heart into something and does his best. Childhood is an era of freedom; a child says and acts without thinking about the consequences. Society tries to conform people, it tries to make a conformist. But a true man has to be a nonconformist. He further says that the mind is sacred integrity “If I am the devil's child, I will live then from the devil” He emphasizes that when your mind calls you reject your wife, mother, brother, and father.


He says you will find some people in society who will tell you that they know your duty better. He asserts that it is easy to live and follow others but it is not fruitful. If you are a non-conformist the world will whip you, and display its displeasure. He suggests not to be consistent, but rather to be adaptable. It is worthless to feel disheartened if you think you are misunderstood – it is not so bad, even; Socrates was misunderstood; Galileo was misunderstood and Luther was also misunderstood. 


He laments that men have forgotten their place; he has forgotten to say “ I think therefore I am”, but quotes some saint or sage. Do not hate people but move away from them. Satisfy your relationship with everyone.


Main Idea of the Essay


  1. Always speak or write what you feel or think.
  2. Do not follow people blindly but make yourself a non-conformist.
  3. You are genius do not let others dictate you.



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