"Self Reliance" R.W. Emerson

America of today has aspects that relate to this work of Emerson's by our lack of fear to be misunderstood. We are not afraid to speak out mind, whether with harsh words or words of kindness. Today, to be misunderstood is 'popular' and a common fad that everyone claims to be.


To Emerson, society is a "joint-stock company", a place in which the members agree for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater.  Society's main purpose is to conform people and to take away their self-reliance. I believe Emerson thought that people shouldn't give to pins in a haystack about what people thought about them; that it was okay to be yourself and not follow what everyone else was doing.

All the great philosophers at the end of his piece were all connected by the fact that they were all misunderstood. Emersons point was to look at how successful each philosopher was in their belief and how many people believe in them now.

Emerson's view on consistency is that it is foolish and only in those of weak minds. To be consistent with the fads and trends isn't what living is about nor is it what your society should pressure you into . No, I don't think he would approve of any circumstances where consistency would be a decent thing.

Since Emerson was heavy into transcendentalism, I would believe his views on the Great Divine would be that society should not believe in His reliance, but in themselves and that He made them the way He intended to. Each persons reason for living is to make their mark in the future, regardless of how it is to be.


"To be great is to be misunderstood...." is the motto I would go by, because every genius is a little (or alot.) but no one is normal. Each and every person has certain quirks that makes them unique.