Passive Income Blog

The second section of “Self-Reliance” offers more suggestions for the individual who wants to achieve the desirable quality of self-reliance. Emerson begins with a directive: “Let a man then know his worth, and keep things under his feet.” Material objects, especially those that are imposing—Emerson cites magnificent buildings and heroic works of art, including costly books—often intimidate people by making them feel of lesser worth. This feeling of inferiority is a mistake: Humans determine an object’s worth, not vice versa.

(more…)

Popularity: 22% [?]

This is a post I put together reviewing one of Emerson’s most talked about essays, Self-Reliance.  By gathering various online reviews and summaries, I put together an overview of his Self-Reliance essay here.  My comments are posted at the end of Part 2, enjoy!

“Self-Reliance” is an essay written by American Transcendentalist philosopher and essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson. It contains the most solid statement of one of Emerson’s repeating themes, the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false consistency, and follow his or her own instincts and ideas.

Click on image to view full essay

Popularity: 24% [?]