essay on self reliance through productivity

A Summary and Analysis of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s ‘Self-Reliance’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Self-Reliance’ is an influential 1841 essay by the American writer and thinker Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82). In this essay, Emerson argues that we should get to know our true selves rather than looking to other people to fashion our individual thoughts and ideas for us. Among other things, Emerson’s essay is a powerful rallying cry against the lure of conformity and groupthink.

Emerson prefaces his essay with several epigraphs, the first of which is a Latin phrase which translates as: ‘Do not seek yourself outside yourself.’ This axiom summarises the thrust of Emerson’s argument, which concerns the cultivation of one’s own opinions and thoughts, even if they are at odds with those of the people around us (including family members).

This explains the title of his essay: ‘Self-Reliance’ is about relying on one’s own sense of oneself, and having confidence in one’s ideas and opinions. In a famous quotation, Emerson asserts: ‘In every work of genius we recognise our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty.’

But if we reject those thoughts when they come to us, we must suffer the pangs of envy of seeing the same thoughts we had (or began to have) in works of art produced by the greatest minds. This is a bit like the phenomenon known as ‘I wish I’d thought of that!’, only, Emerson argues, we did think of it, or something similar. But we never followed through on those thoughts because we weren’t interested in examining or developing our own ideas that we have all the time.

In ‘Self-Reliance’, then, Emerson wants us to cultivate our own minds rather than looking to others to dictate our minds for us. ‘Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind,’ he argues. For Emerson, our own minds are even more worthy of respect than actual religion.

Knowing our own minds is far more valuable and important than simply letting our minds be swayed or influenced by other people. ‘It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion’, Emerson argues, and ‘it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.’

In other words, most people are weak and think they know themselves, but can easily abandon all of their principles and beliefs and be swept up by the ideas of the mob. But the great man is the one who can hold to his own principles and ideas even when he is the one in the minority .

Emerson continues to explore this theme of conformity:

A man must consider what a blindman’s-buff is this game of conformity. If I know your sect, I anticipate your argument. I hear a preacher announce for his text and topic the expediency of one of the institutions of his church. Do I not know beforehand that not possibly can he say a new and spontaneous word? Do I not know that, with all this ostentation of examining the grounds of the institution, he will do no such thing? Do I not know that he is pledged to himself not to look but at one side, – the permitted side, not as a man, but as a parish minister?

He goes on:

This conformity makes them not false in a few particulars, authors of a few lies, but false in all particulars. Their every truth is not quite true. Their two is not the real two, their four not the real four; so that every word they say chagrins us, and we know not where to begin to set them right.

Emerson then argues that consistency for its own sake is a foolish idea. He declares, in a famous quotation, ‘A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.’

Instead, great men change and refine their opinions from one day to the next, as new evidence or new ideas come to light. Although this inconsistency may lead us to be misunderstood, Emerson thinks there are worse things to be. After all, great thinkers such as Pythagoras, Socrates, and even Jesus were all misunderstood by some people.

Emerson also argues that, just because we belong to the same social group as other people, this doesn’t mean we have to follow the same opinions. In a memorable image, he asserts that he likes ‘the silent church before the service begins, better than any preaching’: that moment when everyone can have their own individual thoughts, before they are brought together by the priest and are told to believe the same thing.

Similarly, just because we share blood with our relatives, that doesn’t mean we have to believe what other family members believe. Rather than following their ‘customs’, ‘petulance’, or ‘folly’, we must be ourselves first and foremost.

The same is true of travel. We may say that ‘travel broadens the mind’, but for Emerson, if we do not have a sense of ourselves before he pack our bags and head off to new places, we will still be the same foolish person when we arrive at our destination:

Travelling is a fool’s paradise. Our first journeys discover to us the indifference of places. At home I dream that at Naples, at Rome, I can be intoxicated with beauty, and lose my sadness. I pack my trunk, embrace my friends, embark on the sea, and at last wake up in Naples, and there beside me is the stern fact, the sad self, unrelenting, identical, that I fled from. I seek the Vatican, and the palaces. I affect to be intoxicated with sights and suggestions, but I am not intoxicated. My giant goes with me wherever I go.

Emerson concludes ‘Self-Reliance’ by urging his readers, ‘Insist on yourself; never imitate.’ If you borrow ‘the adopted talent’ of someone else, you will only ever be in ‘half possession’ of it, whereas you will be able to wield your own ‘gift’ if you take the time and effort to cultivate and develop it.

Although some aspects of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s argument in ‘Self-Reliance’ may strike us as self-evident or mere common sense, he does take issue with several established views on the self in the course of his essay. For example, although it is often argued that travel broadens the mind, to Emerson our travels mean nothing if we have not prepared our own minds to respond appropriately to what we see.

And although many people might argue that consistency is important in one’s thoughts and opinions, Emerson argues the opposite, asserting that it is right and proper to change our opinions from one day to the next, if that is what our hearts and minds dictate.

Similarly, Emerson also implies, at one point in ‘Self-Reliance’, that listening to one’s own thoughts should take precedence over listening to the preacher in church.

It is not that he did not believe Christian teachings to be valuable, but that such preachments would have less impact on us if we do not take the effort to know our own minds first. We need to locate who we truly are inside ourselves first, before we can adequately respond to the world around us.

In these and several other respects, ‘Self-Reliance’ remains as relevant to our own age as it was to Emerson’s original readers in the 1840s. Indeed, perhaps it is even more so in the age of social media, in which young people take selfies of their travels but have little sense of what those places and landmarks really mean to them.

Similarly, Emerson’s argument against conformity may strike us as eerily pertinent to the era of social media, with its echo chambers and cultivation of a hive mind or herd mentality.

In the last analysis, ‘Self-Reliance’ comes down to trust in oneself as much as it does reliance on oneself. Emerson thinks we should trust the authority of our own thoughts, opinions, and beliefs over the beliefs of the herd.

Of course, one can counter such a statement by pointing out that Emerson is not pig-headedly defending the right of the individual to be loudly and volubly wrong. We should still seek out the opinions of others in order to sharpen and test our own. But it is important that we are first capable of having our own thoughts. Before we go out into the world we must know ourselves , and our own minds. The two-word axiom which was written at the site of the Delphic Oracle in ancient Greece had it right: ‘Know Thyself.’

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Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Philosophy of Self-Reliance

“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.” These words by Ralph Waldo Emerson sum up his self-reliance philosophy. In 1841, he wrote “Self-Reliance,” a key piece of Transcendentalism . It promotes individualism and not following the crowd.

Emerson tells us to trust our gut and our unique views. He believes true greatness comes from listening to our inner voice , even if it’s different from others. This bold idea shook up the norms of his time and still motivates people today.

The essay talks about the “aboriginal self” and how important it is to stay true to ourselves. Emerson says don’t just follow what everyone else does. He urges us to make our own choices and not just follow old traditions.

He uses examples from history, like Moses, Plato, and Milton, to show how self-trust has led great people to success. Emerson’s message is clear: we should all stand out and not just blend in.

Table of Contents

The Life and Times of Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson was a key figure in the American Renaissance . He was born in 1803 in Boston. His journey from being a Unitarian minister to a leading Transcendentalist changed American thought.

Early Years and Education

Emerson’s early life was filled with loss and a love for learning. His father, a Unitarian minister, passed away when Emerson was just eight. Despite this, he did well in school. He entered Boston Public Latin School in 1812 and graduated from Harvard in 1821.

Transcendentalist Movement

Emerson was a key figure in the Transcendentalist movement in New England. This movement was inspired by Romanticism, Unitarianism, and German Idealism. Emerson encouraged people to find their own faith, bringing new life to old beliefs.

Literary Career and Major Works

Emerson’s writing career took off during the American Renaissance . His first book, “Nature,” came out in 1836 and started the Transcendentalist movement. In 1841, he published “Essays: First Series,” which included “Self-Reliance.” These works made Emerson famous in 19th Century Literature and still influence American thought today.

Understanding Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism started as a big American idea in the 1830s. It changed American thought, literature, and culture. It was all about trusting your gut, being yourself, and seeing the good in people and nature .

Ralph Waldo Emerson was a key figure in this movement. His essay “Self-Reliance” came out in 1841 and is still a big part of Transcendentalist ideas today. It teaches us to rely on ourselves and trust our gut feelings.

This idea took bits from different philosophies and religions. It mixed German Idealism with Eastern beliefs to create something new in America. At its heart, it believed in:

• The power of being your own person
• Feeling close to nature
• Thinking there’s a big soul that connects everything
• Looking for your own truth, not just following others

Emerson and others thought people were naturally good, unlike the badness they saw in society. They wanted everyone to think for themselves and live true to themselves. They encouraged finding yourself and growing as a person.

Transcendentalism did more than just inspire books. It changed American democracy and thought. Its ideas of self-reliance and being your own person touched the American soul deeply.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s ideas on self-reliance are key to personal freedom. His thoughts motivate people to think for themselves and live authentically.

Core Principles of Self-Reliance

Emerson believed in trusting one’s inner wisdom. He urged people to value their unique thoughts and abilities. This focus on personal freedom has boosted self-help books’ popularity. After Dover Publications reprinted “Self-Reliance and Other Essays,” self-help book sales went up by 25%.

Individualism and Nonconformity

Emerson saw nonconformity as crucial to self-reliance. He believed true happiness comes from ignoring what others expect of us. This idea is popular today, with many engaging with Emerson’s ideas online.

Trust in One’s Inner Voice

Listening to one’s inner voice is a key idea in Emerson’s work. Today, his quotes from “Self-Reliance” are often used in motivational talks and self-help seminars. A study found that 72% of readers felt positively impacted by Emerson’s self-reliance ideas.

“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”

This quote from Emerson highlights the power of believing in oneself. It shows how independent thinking helps us grow personally and socially.

The Essay “Self-Reliance”: A Closer Look

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” is a key piece in American essay writing. It was published in 1841. This essay urges people to trust their gut and ignore what others think. It’s a deep dive into being true to oneself and not following the crowd.

Emerson’s essay has three main parts. He talks about self-reliance as a goal, its effects on people, and its place in society. He says it’s bad to just follow others without thinking for yourself. He believes in the power of personal experience and thinking on your own.

“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”

This famous line shows Emerson’s view that sticking too closely to old ideas holds you back. He thinks it’s important to always question and think for yourself. This way, you can be creative and truly express yourself.

When Emerson wrote this essay, America was going through big changes. He was against the growing trend of following the crowd and the lack of original thought. His words still inspire people today to be true to themselves and stand out from the crowd.

The Influence of Nature on Emerson’s Philosophy

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy was deeply rooted in nature. His 1836 essay “Nature” changed American thought. He saw nature as a source of wisdom and spiritual insight.

Nature as a Teacher

Emerson believed nature taught humanity important lessons. He saw every natural action as graceful, showing the Creator’s thoughts. This idea led him to think science should understand nature’s deeper meaning.

Spiritual Connection with the Natural World

For Emerson, nature was spiritual, not just physical. He called it the body of God’s soul. He believed connecting with nature could bring harmony. His work urged people to see beyond nature’s surface to its spiritual essence.

The Concept of the “Transparent Eyeball”

Emerson talked about the “transparent eyeball” in his essay. This idea meant being one with nature. It was about seeing clearly, without society’s or personal biases. Through this, one could understand the Universal Being he often discussed in his lectures.

Emerson’s ideas about nature and simplicity still inspire us. They remind us to seek wisdom in nature and find harmony with our surroundings.

Emerson’s Views on Society and Conformity

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s thoughts on society are key to his ideas. He saw society as a force that limits individualism and growth. In his essay “Self-Reliance,” he said,

“Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.”

This statement shows his belief that society can stop us from being true to ourselves.

Emerson’s ideas question the idea of fitting in. He believes following society’s rules can make us lose who we are. He says it’s crucial to listen to our inner voice , not others. This idea is part of his bigger thoughts on being self-reliant and unique.

• He sees conformity as a threat to personal growth
• He encourages resistance to societal expectations
• He values individual ideas over collective opinions

These ideas are central to Emerson’s social criticism . They show his trust in individual thought and action. By not following the crowd, Emerson says we can truly find ourselves and make a unique mark on society.

The Role of Intuition and Inner Wisdom

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy stresses the power of intuition and inner wisdom. He urges us to seek guidance and truth from within.

Trusting One’s Instincts

Emerson valued listening to our inner voice. He saw intuition as a direct connection to universal truths. This idea tells us to trust our gut feelings, even if they differ from what others think.

The Concept of the “Over-Soul”

He also talked about the “Over-Soul,” a universal spirit linking all people. This idea points to a deep spiritual bond among all living beings. By exploring our inner wisdom, we can connect with this shared consciousness.

Rejecting External Authority

Emerson’s philosophy rejects the need for outside approval in favor of personal intuition. He urged people to question the norms and think for themselves. This view holds individual thought above just following what others say.

This famous saying from Emerson shows his belief in personal growth over sticking to old beliefs. It pushes us to keep evolving our thoughts and trust our inner wisdom, even if it means changing our views.

Self-Reliance in the Context of American Individualism

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy of self-reliance deeply connects with American values . His 1841 essay “Self-Reliance” highlights the importance of trusting oneself and valuing unique perspectives. This idea matches well with the American spirit of being independent and taking personal responsibility .

Emerson urges us to stand out and trust our inner voice. He says that by doing so, we can make a real difference in society. This idea of self-reliant people leading change is still inspiring today, especially in movements for justice and reform.

In our world filled with social media and outside pressures, Emerson’s focus on being real is key. He reminds us that being true to ourselves is the highest achievement. This message of empowerment and resilience helps Americans deal with life’s challenges.

Emerson’s thoughts have deeply influenced American culture. His ideas on self-reliance, based on American individualism, shape talks on personal freedom and responsibility. They remind us of the strength in trusting ourselves and the importance of our individual contributions to progress.

Source Links

• EMERSON – ESSAYS – SELF-RELIANCE
• Self-Reliance
• Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Emerson, Ralph Waldo | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• Self-Reliance: An Introduction to Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Self-Reliance – Ralph Waldo Emerson – Summary & Full Essay
• Ideas -Student Definitions
• Self-Reliance and Other Essays
• Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self-Reliance Summary (and PDF): Become Your Own Person | Philosophy Break
• Self-Reliance and Other Essays (Dover Thrift Editions: …
• Emerson’s "Self-Reliance" – A Close Reading Lesson Plan
• "Self-Reliance" is an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson that outlines his philosophy of individualism and the importance of trusting oneself.
• Summary and Analysis of Self-Reliance
• Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson | Essay
• The Importance of Non-conformity and Independent…
• Self Reliance, by Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes About Conformity | A-Z Quotes
• Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson – Poem Analysis
• Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson
• What is Self-Reliance and How to Develop It?
• Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”: A Transcendental Exploration of Individualism and Independence

The eSoft Editorial Team, a blend of experienced professionals, leaders, and academics, specializes in soft skills, leadership, management, and personal and professional development. Committed to delivering thoroughly researched, high-quality, and reliable content, they abide by strict editorial guidelines ensuring accuracy and currency. Each article crafted is not merely informative but serves as a catalyst for growth, empowering individuals and organizations. As enablers, their trusted insights shape the leaders and organizations of tomorrow.

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Ralph Waldo Emerson: Self-Reliance

In 1841, transcendentalist writer Ralph Waldo Emerson published a collection of essays titled Essays; one of these essays—and perhaps Emerson’s most famous and widely recognized essay—titled Self-Reliance, has become the centerpiece of American nineteenth-century transcendentalist literature. In Self-Reliance, Emerson proffers his life philosophy: people need not envy or emulate others as models of perfection; instead, they should embrace their own individuality and strive to express their own ideas and creativity, and they should avoid conforming to society and popular culture; rather, they should never be afraid to live up to their own ideals and opinions for fear of criticism and stigmatization. The complex metaphorical statements Ralph Waldo Emerson made in Self-Reliance must be analyzed to help develop a greater depth of understanding of their meaning. Also, Emerson’s philosophic individualistic approach life and the constituents of his philosophy can still be applied in today’s society. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the son of William and Ruth Emerson, was born in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, on May 25th, 1803 (Richardson). He attended the Boston Latin School, followed by his collegiate education at Harvard University (from which he graduated in 1821), and then proceeded to attend Harvard’s School of Divinity and graduated as a licensed minister in 1826 (“Ralph Waldo Emerson Biography”). In 1829, three years after receiving his minister’s license, Emerson was ordained to the Unitarian Church. He remained a minister until 1831—the year his first wife, Ellen Tucker, died of tuberculosis (Ralph Waldo Emerson Biography). Throughout the 1830s, the grief that Emerson experienced, because of the death of his wife, drove him to deliver many lectures on spirituality and ethical living (Ralph Waldo Emerson Biography). In the next decade, he experienced a surge in productivity and recognition after publishing several of his lectures in an essay format—one being Self-Reliance in 1844. In this era—considered the most productive of Emerson’s life—he surged to the forefront of American transcendentalism; today, he is still considered to be the greatest transcendentalist in American history. “Transcendentalism is an American literary, political, and philosophical movement of the early nineteenth century…” (Goodman). It was a movement centered around the “unthinking of society” and was led by several prominent philosophical writers and scholars: Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, Amos Bronson Alcott, Frederic Henry Hedge, Theodore Parker, and, of course, Ralph Waldo Emerson (Goodman). Transcendentalists sought to find, as Emerson said, an “original relation to the universe” and many felt that the best way to seek this relation was through nature; this is exemplified by Henry David Thoreau’s social experiment in his novel, Walden (Emerson). Transcendentalists also celebrated the self; they believed that each person is an individual; therefore, each is different from every other individual on Earth. The essay Self-Reliance contains several famous quotes which are frequently alluded to and are widely recognized. An example of one of these famous quotes is “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept the place the divine providence has found for you, the society of your contemporaries, the connection of events” (Emerson 364). This quote contains several complex metaphors; the first one, referring to the heart’s vibration, is a connection between the soul and truth. Emerson is basically saying that the realization of truth and trust is a tactile thing, and you will feel and know it in your heart when you come across it; your heart will “vibrate” like the string of an instrument when strummed. In the next sentence, Emerson encourages readers to accept the place, time, and connections God (“the divine providence”) has set forth for them, as they are all part of his plan, and they are not merely random occurrences. Emerson’s belief in life acceptance still applies in today’s society. When you feel adrift and addled by the events of your life, trust that there is a significance intertwined with each event, as it is all part of God’s plan. Another famous quote contained within Self-Reliance—which speaks to Emerson’s central theme of the individual—is “What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think” (Emerson 365). This quote speaks to the theory of the individual. It epitomizes Emerson’s belief that as an individual, one should only be concerned with his/her own actions, beliefs, opinions, and ideals, and should not be concerned with other people’s possible judgments and/or criticism. This quote can apply to anyone who shies away from expressing oneself in one’s own way for fear of judgment and ostracization. Ralph Waldo Emerson believed in the strength of a man’s character as well as the ability to pursue one’s own beliefs regardless of societal influence; his quote from Self-Reliance¬ exemplifies this—“Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist” (Emerson 364). This quote essentially connotes that a person who is strong of mind and character (based on the symbolic use of the word “man”) must not conform to current societal ideals and values; instead, he/she should seek and appreciate change in societal operation to make life better and more efficient. Also, this quote implies that weak men simply follow the crowd and absorb its beliefs, opinions, and ideals, rather than formulating their own. Perhaps the most widely recognized and frequently alluded of Emerson’s statements in Self-Reliance, as well as his writing career in its entirety, is the quote, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines” (Emerson 366). In this statement, Emerson is voicing his stand on the “foolish consistency” or a refusal to stray from the known, found adorning the lives of many, especially those of political figures and members of the clergy. Emerson believes that these uncreative people are plagued by a consistence which cuts off their flow of creativity and progression. Without variation in daily life, as well as from societal norms, there is little room for new thoughts, ideas, methods, and advancements. Emerson also applies his “foolish consistency” philosophy to people who are reluctant to change their minds. He points out that politicians and clergymen rarely stray from what they know and are familiar with; without any differentiable difference in the lifestyles and actions of politicians and clergymen, there is little advancement and progression from generation to generation. Emerson’s philosophy of consistency urges us to distance ourselves from society and to never be afraid to act upon opportunities that have the potential to take us out of our elements—for without them, we will never experience personal progression and creativity. Ralph Waldo Emerson quickly ascended to the forefront of mid-nineteenth century transcendentalists, and for good reason. His philosophies—chiefly concerning the core value of the individual—and teachings still influence the lifestyle of many people in post-Emerson world history. Through the use of complex metaphors and consummate figurative language, Emerson has encouraged us to pose ourselves the question—are we living true to ourselves, void of societal dogma, through a positively inconsistent life that reaches our full individual potential regarding creativity and progression? I am an individual. Are you? Work Cited Emerson, Ralph Waldo, Ralph Waldo Emerson (The Oxford Authors), ed. Richard Poirier. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1990. Emerson "Unit Three Part 1: Celebrations of the Self--Self-Reliance." The language of literature American literature. Evanston, Ill.: McDougal Littell, 2006. 363-368. Print. Goodman, Russell. "Transcendentalism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. <http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/transcendentalism/>. "Ralph Waldo Emerson Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com ." Famous Biographies & TV Shows - Biography.com . N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2013. <http://www.biography.com/people/ralph-waldo-emerson-9287153>. Richardson, Robert D.. "Ralph Waldo Emerson Biography." Brandeis Users' Home Pages. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2013. <http://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/emersonbio.html>.

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Teen Ink is currently undergoing repairs to our image server. In addition to being unable to display images, we cannot currently accept image submissions. All other parts of the website are functioning normally. Please check back to submit your art and photography and to enjoy work from teen artists around the world!