Emerson’S Self Reliance
In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s portion of “Self-Reliance” that I read, he discusses
some profound beliefs of man and society. When Emerson states “envy is ignorance” and imitation is suicide”, he is speaking of a point in a man’s education where he comes to have a strong belief of this. “Envy is ignorance”; if a man is envious of another man, this shows a lack of knowledge. “Imitation is suicide”; if a man imitates another man’s work, it is the same as committing suicide for him. These two metaphors I believe, are pretty much self-explanatory.
When a man puts his heart and soul into his work, according to Emerson, he gains a feeling of relief and happiness. But if he does not, he shall have no peace and as Emerson later says, “It is a deliverance which does not deliver.” I like to create art. When I paint my own ideas and use my imagination, I am proud of what I have created. On the other hand, when I attempt to “re-create” another artists work, I do not feel I have accomplished anything because it was not my idea.
When Emerson speaks of transcendent destiny, he means than men must thoroughly accept the same exceeding fate that they should act as guides for others, be beneficial, and free from sin.
Society has a dislike of self-reliance. It is “its aversion”. The excellence in society is according to rules and customs. Society is against manhood and loves its customs.
If I had to choose a statement from this portion of the essay by Emerson as a guideline for my own personal conduct, I’d choose his statement of trusting thyself. I must trust myself because only I can make my own choices and only I create my life. I must accept myself for who I am and accept my family and the place in which I live. I must apply this philosophy when I come to the point of making important decisions.
According to the first paragraph, each person arrives at the conviction that they must accept themselves for who they are and that no one knows what they can do except them....
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