Self Reliance, a brief summary. -Savy Howe

Self Reliance,

a brief summary

Savannah Howe

                  First published in 1841 "Self Reliance", an essay written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, bestows the advocating ideal that the internal independence of heart, mind, and soul within an individual will do nothing but become a benefactor in their life. "Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string." This comes across as the main idea that Emerson was trying to throw into our faces, and he most surely succeeds, all the while discussing objections some may have within his case.

     He first comes off to say, "The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried," depicting the indisputable truism, you never know until you try. Also going on to state that "We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine

 idea which each of us represents," which only shows just how obvious it is that fear has driven an insecurity so deep within the hearts of men, that we no longer try to build up our personal desires and talents, and have the courage to test our abilities, but will only conform to what society has suited you to do. Which leads on to this;

    

     "Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members." As an individual within a society built such as ours, we starve our brains of the flowing creativity that is profusely pulsing through every inch of our very veins. As your set of eyes shoots that nervous glance around the room when others are surrounding, are you not thinking of every move you make, your outward appearance, and every word slipping from your mouth, in fear         

that you may be doing it "wrong"? "Society is a joint-stock company in which the members agree for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater," Emerson affirms, as he paints the compelling image that society is in control of the individual, but, only as one obliges to conformity. He goes on to advise that self-reliance is the aversion to conformity, and its solution. "It [self-reliance] loves not realities and creators, but names and customs."

"A foolish consistency isthe hobgoblin of little minds,adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict everything you said today, "Ah so you shall be sure to be misunderstood?"- is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? " - Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

Emerson speaks with strong words brimming with his enthusiasm for the belief that self-reliance is one of the major keys to living a wholesome life. Without carrying a substantial passion to drive oneself to the best of their abilities, they will not know their own capabilities at all. Perhaps you may come to find yourself more than often being misunderstood, but do not fret, for just as Emerson states, many of the wisest and greatest people in the world were also, misunderstood. And in closing, "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind... Absolve you to yourself and you shall have the suffrage of the world..."

              





You may now enjoy this image of Ralph Waldo Emerson wearing a Spiderman Costume.