Self-Reliance

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Self-Reliance is an essay written by Ralph Waldo Emerson and published in 1841.

In this essay, Emerson conveys his transcendentalist philosophy and belief in self-reliance, an essential part of which is to trust in one's present thoughts and impressions rather than those of other people or of one's past self. This philosophy is exemplified in the quote: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Emerson stresses the need to believe one's own thoughts, while actively searching one's internal mind in order to capture the flash thought that may or may not come across. However, Emerson articulates that although one has unlimited potential in oneself, one does not possess the confidence to develop his mind fully. Emerson then writes, "Trust yourself," for God will not have his work made manifest by "cowards". Immediately afterwards, he makes an interesting point that everyone had the innate tendency to express independent, genuine verdict when young. But, when young men become adults, Emerson argues, they will become "clapped into jail by his consciousness." Additionally, the various expectations of society will influence the minds of adults to a great extent, for society does not love realities and creative minds, but love customs and traditions.

Emerson also stresses originality, believing in one's own genius and living from within. From this springs the quote: "Envy is ignorance, imitation is suicide."