Self-Reliance

Emerson’s book Self-Reliance opens the mind to the possibilities and wonderment of what a man or woman could do on their own. It is a little difficult to understand written in the 19th century, but enough is clear to get his message. Self-Reliance made me think of what I must do myself. It is an encouragement and daring challenge for each person to move in their potential in the present. “Do that which is assigned you, and you cannot hope too much or dare too much,” (P. 45). Focusing on what we can each do on our own standing on our own two feet, there is much we can accomplish if we but be ourselves and stand on a higher plane. Each person must come to peace themselves, (P. 53). I would add of course this must be made with The Almighty. But nonetheless, The Almighty will not do for you what you must for yourself and your assignment.

I was first introduced to Emerson by my mother, an English teacher. She was the same woman who placed C.S. Lewis and Shakespeare and Solzhenitsyn and other literary giants in my hands. Among all of the wealth she shared with me when I was still in my teens, it was Emerson...dear Emerson...that stole my heart. He was "my guy" then and still is decades later. Upon my first read, this book grabbed me as a manifesto against the bleakness of conformity. Back then, my favorite quote was: "Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string." Upon this fresh read, a new quote called to me: "When we discern justice, when we discern truth, we do nothing of ourselves, but allow a passage to its beams." This update of his classic Self-Reliance is brilliantly done. It highlights a quote on each page in bright red, adding to the vibrancy and stark truth that emanates from Emerson's words. It also includes several supplementary quotes by both classics and contemporaries. This is among my favorites, by Pam Slim: "We look for ourselves in many places - meditation retreats, personality assessments, Twitter rankings. But the best place to find the reason why we were put on earth is a private moment immersed in our craft. In that sacred instant, we see without a reasonable doubt that we were made to create, and contribute." Every writer, artist, creative, and life explorer would be wise to carry this gem on their journey to keep them grounded and connected to their truth while allowing for all the glory and breadth of the vast horizon of possibility. We need these continual reminders when the storms come. Why? To stay strong. As Emerson would say... "God will not have his work made manifest by cowards." Be daring in your vulnerability and persistent in the pursuit of your truth. There is no greater teacher than Emerson to show you the way. Mollie Marti, JD, PhD Author of "WALKING WITH JUSTICE: Uncommon Lessons from One of Life's Greatest Mentors"

An interesting read from a deep thinker. I honestly need to read it again to understand his points on self-reliance. But I will agree, a sacrifice is always needed in all aspects of life for advancement.

This is one of the most famous of Emmerson's works for a very good reason. It tells us not to conform and to value ourselves, and everyone else as individuals and strive for the greatness we can achieve at its most simple. This was a very influential work that not only was a powerful book in the 19th century but also led Gandhi to form much of his own belief system in India which further led to much of the philosophy and ethos of Martin Luther King Jr. Emerson makes the work accessible to simple reading but also does not sacrifice power or emotion, or even logic in his bold strokes.

Domino Project does it again! What a great piece of wisdom re-launched so well for a digital age. Emerson summarizes his own contribution when he says, "No greater men are now than ever were." We, or at least I, tend to worship wisdom from the latest guru. Perhaps it's Seth Godin, or Tom Peters, or .... Maybe it is the world of digital instantness that put more faith in what was just said than what was said a hundred years ago. "How can their world be relevant to ours?", we often think. Ha! I give to you some highlights I made in my Kindle edition: * There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at he conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide. * If we live truly, we shall see truly. * Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. * It is easy to see that a greater self-reliance must work a revolution in all the offices and relations of men. These were just a few of Emerson's pearls. And the few that worked from my oyster. Pick up the book and find your own.

Emerson guides in this book how to be your authentic self while relying honestly and bravely on yourself and following your own principles and values without being too dependent on society, people, their ideas and other external factors promising you happiness and peace.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was indeed a profound thinker, but his ideas on self-reliance, while compelling, are not without their flaws. In his book “Self-Reliance,” he emphasized self-reliance, self-culture, and individual expression. He wrote that we praise Moses, Plato, and Milton because they did not accept what they read in books or taught as tradition but only their own ideas “that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within.” He stressed that we must trust ourselves, not others. “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind…. What I must do is all that concerns me, not what people think…. Make the most of yourself…for that is all there is of you.” Emerson encourages us not to fear changing our minds. “Leave your [past] theory, as Joseph, his coat in the hand of the harlot, and flee. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds…. Our greatest glory is not in never failing but in rising up every time we fail…. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” This powerful message instills a sense of inspiration and motivation, reminding us of the potential for personal growth and development. He writes that we should rely on ourselves and cast off the teachings of the past. “Is the acorn better than the oak, which is its fulness and completion?” We must stop being weak and living lives where we depend on others. This is wrong. “Insist on yourself; never imitate.” All of Emerson's statements, his emphasis on the individual’s thinking and experiences, free from the influence of texts, traditions, or other people's authority, is undeniably compelling. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the value of external influences and collaboration in our intellectual and personal growth. Emerson was wrong. Moses, Plato, and Milton did not ignore what they learned from others when they added their ideas. Too many people have harmful ideas. If they had had a good education based on the teachings of the past, some of them would not have done the harm to others that they did.

I must be truthful and admit that I had never even attempted to read Ralph Waldo Emerson's 1841 essay on Self-Reliance til I was presented with this delightful re-packaging. Of course, I am familiar with the most famous quote: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." But there is more to it than that. Emerson, one of the most famous American philosophers of the mid-nineteenth century, was obsessed with the notion of non-conformity, i.e. individualism, and the many ways it can be expressed. The clever layout of the book enables the reader to skim through and read - in large red type - a selection of incisive quotes from the essay. Also included are tiny, relevant quotes from historical figures such as Galileo and Thomas Edison, celebrities such as Meryl Streep and Judy Garland and famous authors including Leo Tolstoy and F. Scott Fitzgerald. A small quibble: I wish these contributors were listed in an index at the back of the book, with each one identified. I also wish a bit more background on Emerson himself had been included. A brief bio along with the date of the original essay (1841) would be a great addition to the book. As 19th century prose tends towards the wandering and the obfuscatory, this tiny volume is not an easy read. But it's worth the additional effort. A huge thank you to The Domino Project for the brilliant idea of serving up Ralph Waldo Emerson in a palatable format. You can read it on a Kindle but I'd recommend buying the hardcover so you can appreciate the layout.

It was a story that was very surprising to his own idea. I think I have been conscious of being able to think flexibly like this.

Highly recommend to anyone wanting to gain a little more perspective on life and learn some interesting facts on the history of thought processes.

Good read

Absolutely awesome book especially for how cheap it is and how much knowledge it holds. EVERYONE should read this book.

This essay sucks you in and leads along the corridors of self reliance effects. Emerson lays his argument bit by bit without a sense of repetitiveness