5/1/2017 SelfReliance

Ralph
Waldo
Emerson
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Texts:Essays:FirstSeries:SELFRELIANCE
SelfReliance

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Essays:FirstSeries
Essays:SecondSeries "Netequaesiverisextra."
Nature:Addresses/Lectures
RepresentativeMen
EnglishTraits "Manishisownstarandthesoulthatcan
TheConductofLife Renderanhonestandaperfectman,
Lectures/Biographies
LettersandSocialAims Commandsalllight,allinfluence,allfate
EarlyEmersonPoems Nothingtohimfallsearlyortoolate.
UncollectedProse
GovernmentofChildren Ouractsourangelsare,orgoodorill,
OnEmerson
Ourfatalshadowsthatwalkbyusstill."
History EpiloguetoBeaumontandFletcher'sHonestMan'sFortune
SelfReliance
Compensation
SpiritualLaws Castthebantlingontherocks,
Love Sucklehimwiththeshewolf'steat
Friendship
Prudence Winteredwiththehawkandfox,
Heroism Powerandspeedbehandsandfeet.
TheOverSoul
Circles
Intellect ESSAYIISelfReliance
Art

Ireadtheotherdaysomeverseswrittenbyaneminentpainterwhichwere
originalandnotconventional.Thesoulalwayshearsanadmonitioninsuchlines,
letthesubjectbewhatitmay.Thesentimenttheyinstilisofmorevaluethanany
thoughttheymaycontain.Tobelieveyourownthought,tobelievethatwhatis
trueforyouinyourprivateheartistrueforallmen,thatisgenius.Speakyour
latentconviction,anditshallbetheuniversalsensefortheinmostinduetime
becomestheoutmost,andourfirstthoughtisrenderedbacktousbythe
trumpetsoftheLastJudgment.Familiarasthevoiceofthemindistoeach,the
highestmeritweascribetoMoses,Plato,andMiltonis,thattheysetatnaught
booksandtraditions,andspokenotwhatmenbutwhattheythought.Aman
shouldlearntodetectandwatchthatgleamoflightwhichflashesacrosshismind
fromwithin,morethanthelustreofthefirmamentofbardsandsages.Yethe
dismisseswithoutnoticehisthought,becauseitishis.Ineveryworkofgeniuswe
recognizeourownrejectedthoughts:theycomebacktouswithacertain
alienatedmajesty.Greatworksofarthavenomoreaffectinglessonforusthan
this.Theyteachustoabidebyourspontaneousimpressionwithgoodhumored
inflexibilitythenmostwhenthewholecryofvoicesisontheotherside.Else,to
morrowastrangerwillsaywithmasterlygoodsensepreciselywhatwehave
thoughtandfeltallthetime,andweshallbeforcedtotakewithshameourown
opinionfromanother.

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Thereisatimeineveryman'seducationwhenhearrivesattheconvictionthat
envyisignorancethatimitationissuicidethathemusttakehimselfforbetter,
forworse,ashisportionthatthoughthewideuniverseisfullofgood,nokernel
ofnourishingcorncancometohimbutthroughhistoilbestowedonthatplotof
groundwhichisgiventohimtotill.Thepowerwhichresidesinhimisnewin
nature,andnonebutheknowswhatthatiswhichhecando,nordoesheknow
untilhehastried.Notfornothingoneface,onecharacter,onefact,makesmuch
impressiononhim,andanothernone.Thissculptureinthememoryisnot
withoutpreestablishedharmony.Theeyewasplacedwhereonerayshouldfall,
thatitmighttestifyofthatparticularray.Webuthalfexpressourselves,andare
ashamedofthatdivineideawhicheachofusrepresents.Itmaybesafelytrusted
asproportionateandofgoodissues,soitbefaithfullyimparted,butGodwillnot
havehisworkmademanifestbycowards.Amanisrelievedandgaywhenhehas
puthisheartintohisworkanddonehisbestbutwhathehassaidordone
otherwise,shallgivehimnopeace.Itisadeliverancewhichdoesnotdeliver.In
theattempthisgeniusdesertshimnomusebefriendsnoinvention,nohope.

Trustthyself:everyheartvibratestothatironstring.Accepttheplacethedivine
providencehasfoundforyou,thesocietyofyourcontemporaries,theconnection
ofevents.Greatmenhavealwaysdoneso,andconfidedthemselveschildliketo
thegeniusoftheirage,betrayingtheirperceptionthattheabsolutelytrustworthy
wasseatedattheirheart,workingthroughtheirhands,predominatinginalltheir
being.Andwearenowmen,andmustacceptinthehighestmindthesame
transcendentdestinyandnotminorsandinvalidsinaprotectedcorner,not
cowardsfleeingbeforearevolution,butguides,redeemers,andbenefactors,
obeyingtheAlmightyeffort,andadvancingonChaosandtheDark.

Whatprettyoraclesnatureyieldsusonthistext,inthefaceandbehaviourof
children,babes,andevenbrutes!Thatdividedandrebelmind,thatdistrustofa
sentimentbecauseourarithmetichascomputedthestrengthandmeansopposed
toourpurpose,thesehavenot.Theirmindbeingwhole,theireyeisasyet
unconquered,andwhenwelookintheirfaces,wearedisconcerted.Infancy
conformstonobody:allconformtoit,sothatonebabecommonlymakesfouror
fiveoutoftheadultswhoprattleandplaytoit.SoGodhasarmedyouthand
pubertyandmanhoodnolesswithitsownpiquancyandcharm,andmadeit
enviableandgraciousanditsclaimsnottobeputby,ifitwillstandbyitself.Do
notthinktheyouthhasnoforce,becausehecannotspeaktoyouandme.Hark!
inthenextroomhisvoiceissufficientlyclearandemphatic.Itseemsheknows
howtospeaktohiscontemporaries.Bashfulorbold,then,hewillknowhowto
makeusseniorsveryunnecessary.

Thenonchalanceofboyswhoaresureofadinner,andwoulddisdainasmuchas
alordtodoorsayaughttoconciliateone,isthehealthyattitudeofhuman
nature.Aboyisintheparlourwhatthepitisintheplayhouseindependent,
irresponsible,lookingoutfromhiscorneronsuchpeopleandfactsaspassby,he
triesandsentencesthemontheirmerits,intheswift,summarywayofboys,as
good,bad,interesting,silly,eloquent,troublesome.Hecumbershimselfnever
aboutconsequences,aboutinterests:hegivesanindependent,genuineverdict.
Youmustcourthim:hedoesnotcourtyou.Butthemanis,asitwere,clapped
intojailbyhisconsciousness.Assoonashehasonceactedorspokenwitheclat,
heisacommittedperson,watchedbythesympathyorthehatredofhundreds,

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whoseaffectionsmustnowenterintohisaccount.ThereisnoLetheforthis.Ah,
thathecouldpassagainintohisneutrality!Whocanthusavoidallpledges,and
havingobserved,observeagainfromthesameunaffected,unbiased,unbribable,
unaffrightedinnocence,mustalwaysbeformidable.Hewouldutteropinionson
allpassingaffairs,whichbeingseentobenotprivate,butnecessary,wouldsink
likedartsintotheearofmen,andputtheminfear.

Thesearethevoiceswhichwehearinsolitude,buttheygrowfaintandinaudible
asweenterintotheworld.Societyeverywhereisinconspiracyagainstthe
manhoodofeveryoneofitsmembers.Societyisajointstockcompany,inwhich
themembersagree,forthebettersecuringofhisbreadtoeachshareholder,to
surrenderthelibertyandcultureoftheeater.Thevirtueinmostrequestis
conformity.Selfrelianceisitsaversion.Itlovesnotrealitiesandcreators,but
namesandcustoms.

Whosowouldbeamanmustbeanonconformist.Hewhowouldgatherimmortal
palmsmustnotbehinderedbythenameofgoodness,butmustexploreifitbe
goodness.Nothingisatlastsacredbuttheintegrityofyourownmind.Absolve
youtoyourself,andyoushallhavethesuffrageoftheworld.Irememberan
answerwhichwhenquiteyoungIwaspromptedtomaketoavaluedadviser,who
waswonttoimportunemewiththedearolddoctrinesofthechurch.Onmy
saying,WhathaveItodowiththesacrednessoftraditions,ifIlivewhollyfrom
within?myfriendsuggested,"Buttheseimpulsesmaybefrombelow,notfrom
above."Ireplied,"TheydonotseemtometobesuchbutifIamtheDevil'schild,
IwilllivethenfromtheDevil."Nolawcanbesacredtomebutthatofmynature.
Goodandbadarebutnamesveryreadilytransferabletothatorthistheonly
rightiswhatisaftermyconstitution,theonlywrongwhatisagainstit.Amanis
tocarryhimselfinthepresenceofallopposition,asifeverythingweretitularand
ephemeralbuthe.Iamashamedtothinkhoweasilywecapitulatetobadgesand
names,tolargesocietiesanddeadinstitutions.Everydecentandwellspoken
individualaffectsandswaysmemorethanisright.Ioughttogouprightand
vital,andspeaktherudetruthinallways.Ifmaliceandvanitywearthecoatof
philanthropy,shallthatpass?Ifanangrybigotassumesthisbountifulcauseof
Abolition,andcomestomewithhislastnewsfromBarbadoes,whyshouldInot
saytohim,'Golovethyinfantlovethywoodchopper:begoodnaturedand
modest:havethatgraceandnevervarnishyourhard,uncharitableambition
withthisincredibletendernessforblackfolkathousandmilesoff.Thyloveafaris
spiteathome.'Roughandgracelesswouldbesuchgreeting,buttruthis
handsomerthantheaffectationoflove.Yourgoodnessmusthavesomeedgetoit,
elseitisnone.Thedoctrineofhatredmustbepreachedasthecounteractionof
thedoctrineoflovewhenthatpulesandwhines.Ishunfatherandmotherand
wifeandbrother,whenmygeniuscallsme.Iwouldwriteonthelintelsofthe
doorpost,Whim.Ihopeitissomewhatbetterthanwhimatlast,butwecannot
spendthedayinexplanation.ExpectmenottoshowcausewhyIseekorwhyI
excludecompany.Then,again,donottellme,asagoodmandidtoday,ofmy
obligationtoputallpoormeningoodsituations.Aretheymypoor?Itellthee,
thoufoolishphilanthropist,thatIgrudgethedollar,thedime,thecent,Igiveto
suchmenasdonotbelongtomeandtowhomIdonotbelong.Thereisaclassof
personstowhombyallspiritualaffinityIamboughtandsoldforthemIwillgo
toprison,ifneedbebutyourmiscellaneouspopularcharitiestheeducationat
collegeoffoolsthebuildingofmeetinghousestothevainendtowhichmany

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nowstandalmstosotsandthethousandfoldReliefSocietiesthoughI
confesswithshameIsometimessuccumbandgivethedollar,itisawickeddollar
whichbyandbyIshallhavethemanhoodtowithhold.

Virtuesare,inthepopularestimate,rathertheexceptionthantherule.Thereis
themanandhisvirtues.Mendowhatiscalledagoodaction,assomepieceof
courageorcharity,muchastheywouldpayafineinexpiationofdailynon
appearanceonparade.Theirworksaredoneasanapologyorextenuationoftheir
livingintheworld,asinvalidsandtheinsanepayahighboard.Theirvirtues
arepenances.Idonotwishtoexpiate,buttolive.Mylifeisforitselfandnotfora
spectacle.Imuchpreferthatitshouldbeofalowerstrain,soitbegenuineand
equal,thanthatitshouldbeglitteringandunsteady.Iwishittobesoundand
sweet,andnottoneeddietandbleeding.Iaskprimaryevidencethatyouarea
man,andrefusethisappealfromthemantohisactions.Iknowthatformyselfit
makesnodifferencewhetherIdoorforbearthoseactionswhicharereckoned
excellent.IcannotconsenttopayforaprivilegewhereIhaveintrinsicright.Few
andmeanasmygiftsmaybe,Iactuallyam,anddonotneedformyown
assuranceortheassuranceofmyfellowsanysecondarytestimony.

WhatImustdoisallthatconcernsme,notwhatthepeoplethink.Thisrule,
equallyarduousinactualandinintellectuallife,mayserveforthewhole
distinctionbetweengreatnessandmeanness.Itistheharder,becauseyouwill
alwaysfindthosewhothinktheyknowwhatisyourdutybetterthanyouknowit.
Itiseasyintheworldtoliveaftertheworld'sopinionitiseasyinsolitudetolive
afterourownbutthegreatmanishewhointhemidstofthecrowdkeepswith
perfectsweetnesstheindependenceofsolitude.

Theobjectiontoconformingtousagesthathavebecomedeadtoyouis,thatit
scattersyourforce.Itlosesyourtimeandblurstheimpressionofyourcharacter.
Ifyoumaintainadeadchurch,contributetoadeadBiblesociety,votewitha
greatpartyeitherforthegovernmentoragainstit,spreadyourtablelikebase
housekeepers,underallthesescreensIhavedifficultytodetecttheprecise
manyouare.And,ofcourse,somuchforceiswithdrawnfromyourproperlife.
Butdoyourwork,andIshallknowyou.Doyourwork,andyoushallreinforce
yourself.Amanmustconsiderwhatablindman'sbuffisthisgameofconformity.
IfIknowyoursect,Ianticipateyourargument.Ihearapreacherannouncefor
histextandtopictheexpediencyofoneoftheinstitutionsofhischurch.DoInot
knowbeforehandthatnotpossiblycanhesayanewandspontaneousword?DoI
notknowthat,withallthisostentationofexaminingthegroundsofthe
institution,hewilldonosuchthing?DoInotknowthatheispledgedtohimself
nottolookbutatoneside,thepermittedside,notasaman,butasaparish
minister?Heisaretainedattorney,andtheseairsofthebencharetheemptiest
affectation.Well,mostmenhaveboundtheireyeswithoneoranother
handkerchief,andattachedthemselvestosomeoneofthesecommunitiesof
opinion.Thisconformitymakesthemnotfalseinafewparticulars,authorsofa
fewlies,butfalseinallparticulars.Theireverytruthisnotquitetrue.Theirtwois
nottherealtwo,theirfournottherealfoursothateverywordtheysaychagrins
us,andweknownotwheretobegintosetthemright.Meantimenatureisnot
slowtoequipusintheprisonuniformofthepartytowhichweadhere.Wecome
towearonecutoffaceandfigure,andacquirebydegreesthegentlestasinine
expression.Thereisamortifyingexperienceinparticular,whichdoesnotfailto

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wreakitselfalsointhegeneralhistoryImean"thefoolishfaceofpraise,"the
forcedsmilewhichweputonincompanywherewedonotfeelateaseinanswer
toconversationwhichdoesnotinterestus.Themuscles,notspontaneously
moved,butmovedbyalowusurpingwilfulness,growtightabouttheoutlineof
thefacewiththemostdisagreeablesensation.

Fornonconformitytheworldwhipsyouwithitsdispleasure.Andthereforeaman
mustknowhowtoestimateasourface.Thebystanderslookaskanceonhimin
thepublicstreetorinthefriend'sparlour.Ifthisaversationhaditsoriginin
contemptandresistancelikehisown,hemightwellgohomewithasad
countenancebutthesourfacesofthemultitude,liketheirsweetfaces,haveno
deepcause,butareputonandoffasthewindblowsandanewspaperdirects.Yet
isthediscontentofthemultitudemoreformidablethanthatofthesenateandthe
college.Itiseasyenoughforafirmmanwhoknowstheworldtobrooktherageof
thecultivatedclasses.Theirrageisdecorousandprudent,fortheyaretimidas
beingveryvulnerablethemselves.Butwhentotheirfeminineragethe
indignationofthepeopleisadded,whentheignorantandthepoorarearoused,
whentheunintelligentbruteforcethatliesatthebottomofsocietyismadeto
growlandmow,itneedsthehabitofmagnanimityandreligiontotreatitgodlike
asatrifleofnoconcernment.

Theotherterrorthatscaresusfromselftrustisourconsistencyareverencefor
ourpastactorword,becausetheeyesofothershavenootherdataforcomputing
ourorbitthanourpastacts,andweareloathtodisappointthem.

Butwhyshouldyoukeepyourheadoveryourshoulder?Whydragaboutthis
corpseofyourmemory,lestyoucontradictsomewhatyouhavestatedinthisor
thatpublicplace?Supposeyoushouldcontradictyourselfwhatthen?Itseemsto
bearuleofwisdomnevertorelyonyourmemoryalone,scarcelyeveninactsof
purememory,buttobringthepastforjudgmentintothethousandeyedpresent,
andliveeverinanewday.Inyourmetaphysicsyouhavedeniedpersonalityto
theDeity:yetwhenthedevoutmotionsofthesoulcome,yieldtothemheartand
life,thoughtheyshouldclotheGodwithshapeandcolor.Leaveyourtheory,as
Josephhiscoatinthehandoftheharlot,andflee.

Afoolishconsistencyisthehobgoblinoflittleminds,adoredbylittlestatesmen
andphilosophersanddivines.Withconsistencyagreatsoulhassimplynothing
todo.Hemayaswellconcernhimselfwithhisshadowonthewall.Speakwhat
youthinknowinhardwords,andtomorrowspeakwhattomorrowthinksin
hardwordsagain,thoughitcontradicteverythingyousaidtoday.'Ah,soyou
shallbesuretobemisunderstood.'Isitsobad,then,tobemisunderstood?
Pythagoraswasmisunderstood,andSocrates,andJesus,andLuther,and
Copernicus,andGalileo,andNewton,andeverypureandwisespiritthatever
tookflesh.Tobegreatistobemisunderstood.

Isupposenomancanviolatehisnature.Allthesalliesofhiswillareroundedin
bythelawofhisbeing,astheinequalitiesofAndesandHimmalehare
insignificantinthecurveofthesphere.Nordoesitmatterhowyougaugeandtry
him.AcharacterislikeanacrosticorAlexandrianstanzareaditforward,
backward,oracross,itstillspellsthesamething.Inthispleasing,contritewood
lifewhichGodallowsme,letmerecorddaybydaymyhonestthoughtwithout
prospectorretrospect,and,Icannotdoubt,itwillbefoundsymmetrical,thoughI
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meanitnot,andseeitnot.Mybookshouldsmellofpinesandresoundwiththe
humofinsects.Theswallowovermywindowshouldinterweavethatthreador
strawhecarriesinhisbillintomywebalso.Wepassforwhatweare.Character
teachesaboveourwills.Menimaginethattheycommunicatetheirvirtueorvice
onlybyovertactions,anddonotseethatvirtueorviceemitabreathevery
moment.

Therewillbeanagreementinwhatevervarietyofactions,sotheybeeachhonest
andnaturalintheirhour.Forofonewill,theactionswillbeharmonious,
howeverunliketheyseem.Thesevarietiesarelostsightofatalittledistance,ata
littleheightofthought.Onetendencyunitesthemall.Thevoyageofthebestship
isazigzaglineofahundredtacks.Seethelinefromasufficientdistance,andit
straightensitselftotheaveragetendency.Yourgenuineactionwillexplainitself,
andwillexplainyourothergenuineactions.Yourconformityexplainsnothing.
Actsingly,andwhatyouhavealreadydonesinglywilljustifyyounow.Greatness
appealstothefuture.IfIcanbefirmenoughtodaytodoright,andscorneyes,I
musthavedonesomuchrightbeforeastodefendmenow.Beithowitwill,do
rightnow.Alwaysscornappearances,andyoualwaysmay.Theforceofcharacter
iscumulative.Alltheforegonedaysofvirtueworktheirhealthintothis.What
makesthemajestyoftheheroesofthesenateandthefield,whichsofillsthe
imagination?Theconsciousnessofatrainofgreatdaysandvictoriesbehind.
Theyshedanunitedlightontheadvancingactor.Heisattendedasbyavisible
escortofangels.ThatisitwhichthrowsthunderintoChatham'svoice,and
dignityintoWashington'sport,andAmericaintoAdams'seye.Honoris
venerabletousbecauseitisnoephemeris.Itisalwaysancientvirtue.Weworship
ittodaybecauseitisnotoftoday.Weloveitandpayithomage,becauseitisnot
atrapforourloveandhomage,butisselfdependent,selfderived,andtherefore
ofanoldimmaculatepedigree,evenifshowninayoungperson.

Ihopeinthesedayswehaveheardthelastofconformityandconsistency.Letthe
wordsbegazettedandridiculoushenceforward.Insteadofthegongfordinner,
letushearawhistlefromtheSpartanfife.Letusneverbowandapologizemore.
Agreatmaniscomingtoeatatmyhouse.IdonotwishtopleasehimIwishthat
heshouldwishtopleaseme.Iwillstandhereforhumanity,andthoughIwould
makeitkind,Iwouldmakeittrue.Letusaffrontandreprimandthesmooth
mediocrityandsqualidcontentmentofthetimes,andhurlinthefaceofcustom,
andtrade,andoffice,thefactwhichistheupshotofallhistory,thatthereisa
greatresponsibleThinkerandActorworkingwhereveramanworksthatatrue
manbelongstonoothertimeorplace,butisthecentreofthings.Whereheis,
thereisnature.Hemeasuresyou,andallmen,andallevents.Ordinarily,every
bodyinsocietyremindsusofsomewhatelse,orofsomeotherperson.Character,
reality,remindsyouofnothingelseittakesplaceofthewholecreation.Theman
mustbesomuch,thathemustmakeallcircumstancesindifferent.Everytrue
manisacause,acountry,andanagerequiresinfinitespacesandnumbersand
timefullytoaccomplishhisdesignandposterityseemtofollowhisstepsasa
trainofclients.AmanCaesarisborn,andforagesafterwehaveaRoman
Empire.Christisborn,andmillionsofmindssogrowandcleavetohisgenius,
thatheisconfoundedwithvirtueandthepossibleofman.Aninstitutionisthe
lengthenedshadowofonemanas,Monachism,oftheHermitAntonythe
Reformation,ofLutherQuakerism,ofFoxMethodism,ofWesleyAbolition,of

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Clarkson.Scipio,Miltoncalled"theheightofRome"andallhistoryresolvesitself
veryeasilyintothebiographyofafewstoutandearnestpersons.

Letamanthenknowhisworth,andkeepthingsunderhisfeet.Lethimnotpeep
orsteal,orskulkupanddownwiththeairofacharityboy,abastard,oran
interloper,intheworldwhichexistsforhim.Butthemaninthestreet,findingno
worthinhimselfwhichcorrespondstotheforcewhichbuiltatowerorsculptured
amarblegod,feelspoorwhenhelooksonthese.Tohimapalace,astatue,ora
costlybookhaveanalienandforbiddingair,muchlikeagayequipage,andseem
tosaylikethat,'Whoareyou,Sir?'Yettheyallarehis,suitorsforhisnotice,
petitionerstohisfacultiesthattheywillcomeoutandtakepossession.The
picturewaitsformyverdict:itisnottocommandme,butIamtosettleitsclaims
topraise.Thatpopularfableofthesotwhowaspickedupdeaddrunkinthe
street,carriedtotheduke'shouse,washedanddressedandlaidintheduke'sbed,
and,onhiswaking,treatedwithallobsequiousceremonyliketheduke,and
assuredthathehadbeeninsane,owesitspopularitytothefact,thatitsymbolizes
sowellthestateofman,whoisintheworldasortofsot,butnowandthenwakes
up,exerciseshisreason,andfindshimselfatrueprince.

Ourreadingismendicantandsycophantic.Inhistory,ourimaginationplaysus
false.Kingdomandlordship,powerandestate,areagaudiervocabularythan
privateJohnandEdwardinasmallhouseandcommonday'sworkbutthe
thingsoflifearethesametoboththesumtotalofbothisthesame.Whyallthis
deferencetoAlfred,andScanderbeg,andGustavus?Supposetheywerevirtuous
didtheywearoutvirtue?Asgreatastakedependsonyourprivateacttoday,as
followedtheirpublicandrenownedsteps.Whenprivatemenshallactwith
originalviews,thelustrewillbetransferredfromtheactionsofkingstothoseof
gentlemen.

Theworldhasbeeninstructedbyitskings,whohavesomagnetizedtheeyesof
nations.Ithasbeentaughtbythiscolossalsymbolthemutualreverencethatis
duefrommantoman.Thejoyfulloyaltywithwhichmenhaveeverywhere
sufferedtheking,thenoble,orthegreatproprietortowalkamongthembyalaw
ofhisown,makehisownscaleofmenandthings,andreversetheirs,payfor
benefitsnotwithmoneybutwithhonor,andrepresentthelawinhisperson,was
thehieroglyphicbywhichtheyobscurelysignifiedtheirconsciousnessoftheir
ownrightandcomeliness,therightofeveryman.

Themagnetismwhichalloriginalactionexertsisexplainedwhenweinquirethe
reasonofselftrust.WhoistheTrustee?WhatistheaboriginalSelf,onwhicha
universalreliancemaybegrounded?Whatisthenatureandpowerofthat
sciencebafflingstar,withoutparallax,withoutcalculableelements,whichshoots
arayofbeautyevenintotrivialandimpureactions,iftheleastmarkof
independenceappear?Theinquiryleadsustothatsource,atoncetheessenceof
genius,ofvirtue,andoflife,whichwecallSpontaneityorInstinct.Wedenotethis
primarywisdomasIntuition,whilstalllaterteachingsaretuitions.Inthatdeep
force,thelastfactbehindwhichanalysiscannotgo,allthingsfindtheircommon
origin.For,thesenseofbeingwhichincalmhoursrises,weknownothow,inthe
soul,isnotdiversefromthings,fromspace,fromlight,fromtime,fromman,but
onewiththem,andproceedsobviouslyfromthesamesourcewhencetheirlife
andbeingalsoproceed.Wefirstsharethelifebywhichthingsexist,and
afterwardsseethemasappearancesinnature,andforgetthatwehaveshared
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theircause.Hereisthefountainofactionandofthought.Herearethelungsof
thatinspirationwhichgivethmanwisdom,andwhichcannotbedeniedwithout
impietyandatheism.Welieinthelapofimmenseintelligence,whichmakesus
receiversofitstruthandorgansofitsactivity.Whenwediscernjustice,whenwe
discerntruth,wedonothingofourselves,butallowapassagetoitsbeams.Ifwe
askwhencethiscomes,ifweseektopryintothesoulthatcauses,allphilosophy
isatfault.Itspresenceoritsabsenceisallwecanaffirm.Everyman
discriminatesbetweenthevoluntaryactsofhismind,andhisinvoluntary
perceptions,andknowsthattohisinvoluntaryperceptionsaperfectfaithisdue.
Hemayerrintheexpressionofthem,butheknowsthatthesethingsareso,like
dayandnight,nottobedisputed.Mywilfulactionsandacquisitionsarebut
rovingtheidlestreverie,thefaintestnativeemotion,commandmycuriosity
andrespect.Thoughtlesspeoplecontradictasreadilythestatementof
perceptionsasofopinions,orrathermuchmorereadilyfor,theydonot
distinguishbetweenperceptionandnotion.TheyfancythatIchoosetoseethisor
thatthing.Butperceptionisnotwhimsical,butfatal.IfIseeatrait,mychildren
willseeitafterme,andincourseoftime,allmankind,althoughitmaychance
thatnoonehasseenitbeforeme.Formyperceptionofitisasmuchafactasthe
sun.

Therelationsofthesoultothedivinespiritaresopure,thatitisprofanetoseek
tointerposehelps.ItmustbethatwhenGodspeakethheshouldcommunicate,
notonething,butallthingsshouldfilltheworldwithhisvoiceshouldscatter
forthlight,nature,time,souls,fromthecentreofthepresentthoughtandnew
dateandnewcreatethewhole.Wheneveramindissimple,andreceivesadivine
wisdom,oldthingspassaway,means,teachers,texts,templesfallitlivesnow,
andabsorbspastandfutureintothepresenthour.Allthingsaremadesacredby
relationtoit,oneasmuchasanother.Allthingsaredissolvedtotheircentreby
theircause,and,intheuniversalmiracle,pettyandparticularmiraclesdisappear.
If,therefore,amanclaimstoknowandspeakofGod,andcarriesyoubackward
tothephraseologyofsomeoldmoulderednationinanothercountry,inanother
world,believehimnot.Istheacornbetterthantheoakwhichisitsfulnessand
completion?Istheparentbetterthanthechildintowhomhehascasthisripened
being?Whence,then,thisworshipofthepast?Thecenturiesareconspirators
againstthesanityandauthorityofthesoul.Timeandspacearebutphysiological
colorswhichtheeyemakes,butthesoulislightwhereitis,isdaywhereitwas,
isnightandhistoryisanimpertinenceandaninjury,ifitbeanythingmorethan
acheerfulapologueorparableofmybeingandbecoming.

Manistimidandapologeticheisnolongeruprighthedaresnotsay'Ithink,''I
am,'butquotessomesaintorsage.Heisashamedbeforethebladeofgrassorthe
blowingrose.Theserosesundermywindowmakenoreferencetoformerrosesor
tobetteronestheyareforwhattheyaretheyexistwithGodtoday.Thereisno
timetothem.Thereissimplytheroseitisperfectineverymomentofits
existence.Beforealeafbudhasburst,itswholelifeactsinthefullblownflower
thereisnomoreintheleaflessrootthereisnoless.Itsnatureissatisfied,andit
satisfiesnature,inallmomentsalike.Butmanpostponesorremembershedoes
notliveinthepresent,butwithrevertedeyelamentsthepast,or,heedlessofthe
richesthatsurroundhim,standsontiptoetoforeseethefuture.Hecannotbe
happyandstronguntilhetooliveswithnatureinthepresent,abovetime.

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Thisshouldbeplainenough.YetseewhatstrongintellectsdarenotyethearGod
himself,unlesshespeakthephraseologyofIknownotwhatDavid,orJeremiah,
orPaul.Weshallnotalwayssetsogreatapriceonafewtexts,onafewlives.We
arelikechildrenwhorepeatbyrotethesentencesofgrandamesandtutors,and,
astheygrowolder,ofthemenoftalentsandcharactertheychancetosee,
painfullyrecollectingtheexactwordstheyspokeafterwards,whentheycome
intothepointofviewwhichthosehadwhoutteredthesesayings,they
understandthem,andarewillingtoletthewordsgofor,atanytime,theycan
usewordsasgoodwhenoccasioncomes.Ifwelivetruly,weshallseetruly.Itisas
easyforthestrongmantobestrong,asitisfortheweaktobeweak.Whenwe
havenewperception,weshallgladlydisburdenthememoryofitshoarded
treasuresasoldrubbish.WhenamanliveswithGod,hisvoiceshallbeassweet
asthemurmurofthebrookandtherustleofthecorn.

Andnowatlastthehighesttruthonthissubjectremainsunsaidprobablycannot
besaidforallthatwesayisthefaroffrememberingoftheintuition.That
thought,bywhatIcannownearestapproachtosayit,isthis.Whengoodisnear
you,whenyouhavelifeinyourself,itisnotbyanyknownoraccustomedway
youshallnotdiscernthefootprintsofanyotheryoushallnotseethefaceof
manyoushallnothearanynametheway,thethought,thegood,shallbe
whollystrangeandnew.Itshallexcludeexampleandexperience.Youtakethe
wayfromman,nottoman.Allpersonsthateverexistedareitsforgotten
ministers.Fearandhopearealikebeneathit.Thereissomewhatlowevenin
hope.Inthehourofvision,thereisnothingthatcanbecalledgratitude,nor
properlyjoy.Thesoulraisedoverpassionbeholdsidentityandeternalcausation,
perceivestheselfexistenceofTruthandRight,andcalmsitselfwithknowing
thatallthingsgowell.Vastspacesofnature,theAtlanticOcean,theSouthSea,
longintervalsoftime,years,centuries,areofnoaccount.ThiswhichIthink
andfeelunderlayeveryformerstateoflifeandcircumstances,asitdoesunderlie
mypresent,andwhatiscalledlife,andwhatiscalleddeath.

Lifeonlyavails,notthehavinglived.Powerceasesintheinstantofreposeit
residesinthemomentoftransitionfromapasttoanewstate,intheshootingof
thegulf,inthedartingtoanaim.Thisonefacttheworldhates,thatthesoul
becomesforthatforeverdegradesthepast,turnsallrichestopoverty,all
reputationtoashame,confoundsthesaintwiththerogue,shovesJesusand
Judasequallyaside.Why,then,doweprateofselfreliance?Inasmuchasthesoul
ispresent,therewillbepowernotconfidentbutagent.Totalkofrelianceisa
poorexternalwayofspeaking.Speakratherofthatwhichrelies,becauseitworks
andis.WhohasmoreobediencethanImastersme,thoughheshouldnotraise
hisfinger.RoundhimImustrevolvebythegravitationofspirits.Wefancyit
rhetoric,whenwespeakofeminentvirtue.Wedonotyetseethatvirtueis
Height,andthatamanoracompanyofmen,plasticandpermeabletoprinciples,
bythelawofnaturemustoverpowerandrideallcities,nations,kings,richmen,
poets,whoarenot.

Thisistheultimatefactwhichwesoquicklyreachonthis,asoneverytopic,the
resolutionofallintotheeverblessedONE.Selfexistenceistheattributeofthe
SupremeCause,anditconstitutesthemeasureofgoodbythedegreeinwhichit
entersintoalllowerforms.Allthingsrealaresobysomuchvirtueasthey
contain.Commerce,husbandry,hunting,whaling,war,eloquence,personal

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weight,aresomewhat,andengagemyrespectasexamplesofitspresenceand
impureaction.Iseethesamelawworkinginnatureforconservationandgrowth.
Powerisinnaturetheessentialmeasureofright.Naturesuffersnothingto
remaininherkingdomswhichcannothelpitself.Thegenesisandmaturationofa
planet,itspoiseandorbit,thebendedtreerecoveringitselffromthestrongwind,
thevitalresourcesofeveryanimalandvegetable,aredemonstrationsoftheself
sufficing,andthereforeselfrelyingsoul.

Thusallconcentrates:letusnotroveletussitathomewiththecause.Letus
stunandastonishtheintrudingrabbleofmenandbooksandinstitutions,bya
simpledeclarationofthedivinefact.Bidtheinvaderstaketheshoesfromoff
theirfeet,forGodisherewithin.Letoursimplicityjudgethem,andourdocility
toourownlawdemonstratethepovertyofnatureandfortunebesideournative
riches.

Butnowweareamob.Mandoesnotstandinaweofman,norishisgenius
admonishedtostayathome,toputitselfincommunicationwiththeinternal
ocean,butitgoesabroadtobegacupofwateroftheurnsofothermen.Wemust
goalone.Ilikethesilentchurchbeforetheservicebegins,betterthanany
preaching.Howfaroff,howcool,howchastethepersonslook,begirteachone
withaprecinctorsanctuary!Soletusalwayssit.Whyshouldweassumethe
faultsofourfriend,orwife,orfather,orchild,becausetheysitaroundour
hearth,oraresaidtohavethesameblood?Allmenhavemyblood,andIhaveall
men's.NotforthatwillIadopttheirpetulanceorfolly,eventotheextentofbeing
ashamedofit.Butyourisolationmustnotbemechanical,butspiritual,thatis,
mustbeelevation.Attimesthewholeworldseemstobeinconspiracyto
importuneyouwithemphatictrifles.Friend,client,child,sickness,fear,want,
charity,allknockatonceatthyclosetdoor,andsay,'Comeoutuntous.'But
keepthystatecomenotintotheirconfusion.Thepowermenpossesstoannoy
me,Igivethembyaweakcuriosity.Nomancancomenearmebutthroughmy
act."Whatwelovethatwehave,butbydesirewebereaveourselvesofthelove."

Ifwecannotatoncerisetothesanctitiesofobedienceandfaith,letusatleast
resistourtemptationsletusenterintothestateofwar,andwakeThorand
Woden,courageandconstancy,inourSaxonbreasts.Thisistobedoneinour
smoothtimesbyspeakingthetruth.Checkthislyinghospitalityandlying
affection.Livenolongertotheexpectationofthesedeceivedanddeceiving
peoplewithwhomweconverse.Saytothem,Ofather,Omother,Owife,O
brother,Ofriend,Ihavelivedwithyouafterappearanceshitherto.Henceforward
Iamthetruth's.BeitknownuntoyouthathenceforwardIobeynolawlessthan
theeternallaw.Iwillhavenocovenantsbutproximities.Ishallendeavourto
nourishmyparents,tosupportmyfamily,tobethechastehusbandofonewife,
buttheserelationsImustfillafteranewandunprecedentedway.Iappeal
fromyourcustoms.Imustbemyself.Icannotbreakmyselfanylongerforyou,or
you.IfyoucanlovemeforwhatIam,weshallbethehappier.Ifyoucannot,Iwill
stillseektodeservethatyoushould.Iwillnothidemytastesoraversions.Iwill
sotrustthatwhatisdeepisholy,thatIwilldostronglybeforethesunandmoon
whateverinlyrejoicesme,andtheheartappoints.Ifyouarenoble,Iwillloveyou
ifyouarenot,Iwillnothurtyouandmyselfbyhypocriticalattentions.Ifyouare
true,butnotinthesametruthwithme,cleavetoyourcompanionsIwillseekmy
own.Idothisnotselfishly,buthumblyandtruly.Itisalikeyourinterest,and

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mine,andallmen's,howeverlongwehavedweltinlies,toliveintruth.Doesthis
soundharshtoday?Youwillsoonlovewhatisdictatedbyyournatureaswellas
mine,and,ifwefollowthetruth,itwillbringusoutsafeatlast.Butsoyoumay
givethesefriendspain.Yes,butIcannotsellmylibertyandmypower,tosave
theirsensibility.Besides,allpersonshavetheirmomentsofreason,whenthey
lookoutintotheregionofabsolutetruththenwilltheyjustifyme,anddothe
samething.

Thepopulacethinkthatyourrejectionofpopularstandardsisarejectionofall
standard,andmereantinomianismandtheboldsensualistwillusethenameof
philosophytogildhiscrimes.Butthelawofconsciousnessabides.Therearetwo
confessionals,inoneortheotherofwhichwemustbeshriven.Youmayfulfil
yourroundofdutiesbyclearingyourselfinthedirect,orinthereflexway.
Considerwhetheryouhavesatisfiedyourrelationstofather,mother,cousin,
neighbour,town,cat,anddogwhetheranyofthesecanupbraidyou.ButImay
alsoneglectthisreflexstandard,andabsolvemetomyself.Ihavemyownstern
claimsandperfectcircle.Itdeniesthenameofdutytomanyofficesthatare
calledduties.ButifIcandischargeitsdebts,itenablesmetodispensewiththe
popularcode.Ifanyoneimaginesthatthislawislax,lethimkeepits
commandmentoneday.

Andtrulyitdemandssomethinggodlikeinhimwhohascastoffthecommon
motivesofhumanity,andhasventuredtotrusthimselfforataskmaster.Highbe
hisheart,faithfulhiswill,clearhissight,thathemayingoodearnestbedoctrine,
society,law,tohimself,thatasimplepurposemaybetohimasstrongasiron
necessityistoothers!

Ifanymanconsiderthepresentaspectsofwhatiscalledbydistinctionsociety,he
willseetheneedoftheseethics.Thesinewandheartofmanseemtobedrawn
out,andwearebecometimorous,despondingwhimperers.Weareafraidof
truth,afraidoffortune,afraidofdeath,andafraidofeachother.Ourageyields
nogreatandperfectpersons.Wewantmenandwomenwhoshallrenovatelife
andoursocialstate,butweseethatmostnaturesareinsolvent,cannotsatisfy
theirownwants,haveanambitionoutofallproportiontotheirpracticalforce,
anddoleanandbegdayandnightcontinually.Ourhousekeepingismendicant,
ourarts,ouroccupations,ourmarriages,ourreligion,wehavenotchosen,but
societyhaschosenforus.Weareparloursoldiers.Weshuntheruggedbattleof
fate,wherestrengthisborn.

Ifouryoungmenmiscarryintheirfirstenterprises,theyloseallheart.Ifthe
youngmerchantfails,mensayheisruined.Ifthefinestgeniusstudiesatoneof
ourcolleges,andisnotinstalledinanofficewithinoneyearafterwardsinthe
citiesorsuburbsofBostonorNewYork,itseemstohisfriendsandtohimself
thatheisrightinbeingdisheartened,andincomplainingtherestofhislife.A
sturdyladfromNewHampshireorVermont,whointurntriesalltheprofessions,
whoteamsit,farmsit,peddles,keepsaschool,preaches,editsanewspaper,goes
toCongress,buysatownship,andsoforth,insuccessiveyears,andalways,likea
cat,fallsonhisfeet,isworthahundredofthesecitydolls.Hewalksabreastwith
hisdays,andfeelsnoshameinnot'studyingaprofession,'forhedoesnot
postponehislife,butlivesalready.Hehasnotonechance,butahundred
chances.LetaStoicopentheresourcesofman,andtellmentheyarenotleaning
willows,butcanandmustdetachthemselvesthatwiththeexerciseofselftrust,
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newpowersshallappearthatamanisthewordmadeflesh,borntoshedhealing
tothenations,thatheshouldbeashamedofourcompassion,andthatthe
momentheactsfromhimself,tossingthelaws,thebooks,idolatries,andcustoms
outofthewindow,wepityhimnomore,butthankandreverehim,andthat
teachershallrestorethelifeofmantosplendor,andmakehisnamedeartoall
history.

Itiseasytoseethatagreaterselfreliancemustworkarevolutioninallthe
officesandrelationsofmenintheirreligionintheireducationintheirpursuits
theirmodesoflivingtheirassociationintheirpropertyintheirspeculative
views.

1.Inwhatprayersdomenallowthemselves!Thatwhichtheycallaholyofficeis
notsomuchasbraveandmanly.Prayerlooksabroadandasksforsomeforeign
additiontocomethroughsomeforeignvirtue,andlosesitselfinendlessmazesof
naturalandsupernatural,andmediatorialandmiraculous.Prayerthatcravesa
particularcommodity,anythinglessthanallgood,isvicious.Prayeristhe
contemplationofthefactsoflifefromthehighestpointofview.Itisthesoliloquy
ofabeholdingandjubilantsoul.ItisthespiritofGodpronouncinghisworks
good.Butprayerasameanstoeffectaprivateendismeannessandtheft.It
supposesdualismandnotunityinnatureandconsciousness.Assoonastheman
isatonewithGod,hewillnotbeg.Hewillthenseeprayerinallaction.The
prayerofthefarmerkneelinginhisfieldtoweedit,theprayeroftherower
kneelingwiththestrokeofhisoar,aretrueprayersheardthroughoutnature,
thoughforcheapends.Caratach,inFletcher'sBonduca,whenadmonishedto
inquirethemindofthegodAudate,replies,

"Hishiddenmeaningliesinourendeavours
Ourvalorsareourbestgods."

Anothersortoffalseprayersareourregrets.Discontentisthewantofself
reliance:itisinfirmityofwill.Regretcalamities,ifyoucantherebyhelpthe
suffererifnot,attendyourownwork,andalreadytheevilbeginstoberepaired.
Oursympathyisjustasbase.Wecometothemwhoweepfoolishly,andsitdown
andcryforcompany,insteadofimpartingtothemtruthandhealthinrough
electricshocks,puttingthemoncemoreincommunicationwiththeirownreason.
Thesecretoffortuneisjoyinourhands.Welcomeevermoretogodsandmenis
theselfhelpingman.Forhimalldoorsareflungwide:himalltonguesgreet,all
honorscrown,alleyesfollowwithdesire.Ourlovegoesouttohimandembraces
him,becausehedidnotneedit.Wesolicitouslyandapologeticallycaressand
celebratehim,becauseheheldonhiswayandscornedourdisapprobation.The
godslovehimbecausemenhatedhim."Totheperseveringmortal,"said
Zoroaster,"theblessedImmortalsareswift."

Asmen'sprayersareadiseaseofthewill,soaretheircreedsadiseaseofthe
intellect.TheysaywiththosefoolishIsraelites,'LetnotGodspeaktous,lestwe
die.Speakthou,speakanymanwithus,andwewillobey.'EverywhereIam
hinderedofmeetingGodinmybrother,becausehehasshuthisowntemple
doors,andrecitesfablesmerelyofhisbrother's,orhisbrother'sbrother'sGod.
Everynewmindisanewclassification.Ifitproveamindofuncommonactivity
andpower,aLocke,aLavoisier,aHutton,aBentham,aFourier,itimposesits
classificationonothermen,andlo!anewsystem.Inproportiontothedepthof
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thethought,andsotothenumberoftheobjectsittouchesandbringswithin
reachofthepupil,ishiscomplacency.Butchieflyisthisapparentincreedsand
churches,whicharealsoclassificationsofsomepowerfulmindactingonthe
elementalthoughtofduty,andman'srelationtotheHighest.SuchisCalvinism,
Quakerism,Swedenborgism.Thepupiltakesthesamedelightinsubordinating
everythingtothenewterminology,asagirlwhohasjustlearnedbotanyinseeing
anewearthandnewseasonsthereby.Itwillhappenforatime,thatthepupilwill
findhisintellectualpowerhasgrownbythestudyofhismaster'smind.Butinall
unbalancedminds,theclassificationisidolized,passesfortheend,andnotfora
speedilyexhaustiblemeans,sothatthewallsofthesystemblendtotheireyein
theremotehorizonwiththewallsoftheuniversetheluminariesofheavenseem
tothemhungonthearchtheirmasterbuilt.Theycannotimaginehowyoualiens
haveanyrighttosee,howyoucansee'Itmustbesomehowthatyoustolethe
lightfromus.'Theydonotyetperceive,thatlight,unsystematic,indomitable,will
breakintoanycabin,evenintotheirs.Letthemchirpawhileandcallittheirown.
Iftheyarehonestanddowell,presentlytheirneatnewpinfoldwillbetoostrait
andlow,willcrack,willlean,willrotandvanish,andtheimmortallight,all
youngandjoyful,millionorbed,millioncolored,willbeamovertheuniverseas
onthefirstmorning.

2.ItisforwantofselfculturethatthesuperstitionofTravelling,whoseidolsare
Italy,England,Egypt,retainsitsfascinationforalleducatedAmericans.They
whomadeEngland,Italy,orGreecevenerableintheimaginationdidsoby
stickingfastwheretheywere,likeanaxisoftheearth.Inmanlyhours,wefeel
thatdutyisourplace.Thesoulisnotravellerthewisemanstaysathome,and
whenhisnecessities,hisduties,onanyoccasioncallhimfromhishouse,orinto
foreignlands,heisathomestill,andshallmakemensensiblebytheexpression
ofhiscountenance,thathegoesthemissionaryofwisdomandvirtue,andvisits
citiesandmenlikeasovereign,andnotlikeaninterloperoravalet.

Ihavenochurlishobjectiontothecircumnavigationoftheglobe,forthe
purposesofart,ofstudy,andbenevolence,sothatthemanisfirstdomesticated,
ordoesnotgoabroadwiththehopeoffindingsomewhatgreaterthanheknows.
Hewhotravelstobeamused,ortogetsomewhatwhichhedoesnotcarry,travels
awayfromhimself,andgrowsoldeveninyouthamongoldthings.InThebes,in
Palmyra,hiswillandmindhavebecomeoldanddilapidatedasthey.Hecarries
ruinstoruins.

Travellingisafool'sparadise.Ourfirstjourneysdiscovertoustheindifferenceof
places.AthomeIdreamthatatNaples,atRome,Icanbeintoxicatedwith
beauty,andlosemysadness.Ipackmytrunk,embracemyfriends,embarkon
thesea,andatlastwakeupinNaples,andtherebesidemeisthesternfact,the
sadself,unrelenting,identical,thatIfledfrom.IseektheVatican,andthe
palaces.Iaffecttobeintoxicatedwithsightsandsuggestions,butIamnot
intoxicated.MygiantgoeswithmewhereverIgo.

3.Buttherageoftravellingisasymptomofadeeperunsoundnessaffectingthe
wholeintellectualaction.Theintellectisvagabond,andoursystemofeducation
fostersrestlessness.Ourmindstravelwhenourbodiesareforcedtostayathome.
Weimitateandwhatisimitationbutthetravellingofthemind?Ourhousesare
builtwithforeigntasteourshelvesaregarnishedwithforeignornamentsour
opinions,ourtastes,ourfaculties,lean,andfollowthePastandtheDistant.The
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soulcreatedtheartswherevertheyhaveflourished.Itwasinhisownmindthat
theartistsoughthismodel.Itwasanapplicationofhisownthoughttothething
tobedoneandtheconditionstobeobserved.AndwhyneedwecopytheDoricor
theGothicmodel?Beauty,convenience,grandeurofthought,andquaint
expressionareasneartousastoany,andiftheAmericanartistwillstudywith
hopeandlovetheprecisethingtobedonebyhim,consideringtheclimate,the
soil,thelengthoftheday,thewantsofthepeople,thehabitandformofthe
government,hewillcreateahouseinwhichallthesewillfindthemselvesfitted,
andtasteandsentimentwillbesatisfiedalso.

Insistonyourselfneverimitate.Yourowngiftyoucanpresenteverymoment
withthecumulativeforceofawholelife'scultivationbutoftheadoptedtalentof
another,youhaveonlyanextemporaneous,halfpossession.Thatwhicheachcan
dobest,nonebuthisMakercanteachhim.Nomanyetknowswhatitis,norcan,
tillthatpersonhasexhibitedit.Whereisthemasterwhocouldhavetaught
Shakspeare?WhereisthemasterwhocouldhaveinstructedFranklin,or
Washington,orBacon,orNewton?Everygreatmanisaunique.TheScipionism
ofScipioispreciselythatparthecouldnotborrow.Shakspearewillneverbe
madebythestudyofShakspeare.Dothatwhichisassignedyou,andyoucannot
hopetoomuchordaretoomuch.Thereisatthismomentforyouanutterance
braveandgrandasthatofthecolossalchiselofPhidias,ortrowelofthe
Egyptians,orthepenofMoses,orDante,butdifferentfromallthese.Not
possiblywillthesoulallrich,alleloquent,withthousandcloventongue,deignto
repeatitselfbutifyoucanhearwhatthesepatriarchssay,surelyyoucanreplyto
theminthesamepitchofvoicefortheearandthetonguearetwoorgansofone
nature.Abideinthesimpleandnobleregionsofthylife,obeythyheart,andthou
shaltreproducetheForeworldagain.

4.AsourReligion,ourEducation,ourArtlookabroad,sodoesourspiritof
society.Allmenplumethemselvesontheimprovementofsociety,andnoman
improves.

Societyneveradvances.Itrecedesasfastononesideasitgainsontheother.It
undergoescontinualchangesitisbarbarous,itiscivilized,itischristianized,itis
rich,itisscientificbutthischangeisnotamelioration.Foreverythingthatis
given,somethingistaken.Societyacquiresnewarts,andlosesoldinstincts.What
acontrastbetweenthewellclad,reading,writing,thinkingAmerican,witha
watch,apencil,andabillofexchangeinhispocket,andthenakedNew
Zealander,whosepropertyisaclub,aspear,amat,andanundividedtwentiethof
ashedtosleepunder!Butcomparethehealthofthetwomen,andyoushallsee
thatthewhitemanhaslosthisaboriginalstrength.Ifthetravellertellustruly,
strikethesavagewithabroadaxe,andinadayortwothefleshshalluniteand
healasifyoustrucktheblowintosoftpitch,andthesameblowshallsendthe
whitetohisgrave.

Thecivilizedmanhasbuiltacoach,buthaslosttheuseofhisfeet.Heis
supportedoncrutches,butlackssomuchsupportofmuscle.Hehasafine
Genevawatch,buthefailsoftheskilltotellthehourbythesun.AGreenwich
nauticalalmanachehas,andsobeingsureoftheinformationwhenhewantsit,
themaninthestreetdoesnotknowastarinthesky.Thesolsticehedoesnot
observetheequinoxheknowsaslittleandthewholebrightcalendaroftheyear
iswithoutadialinhismind.Hisnotebooksimpairhismemoryhislibraries
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overloadhiswittheinsuranceofficeincreasesthenumberofaccidentsandit
maybeaquestionwhethermachinerydoesnotencumberwhetherwehavenot
lostbyrefinementsomeenergy,byaChristianityentrenchedinestablishments
andforms,somevigorofwildvirtue.ForeveryStoicwasaStoicbutin
ChristendomwhereistheChristian?

Thereisnomoredeviationinthemoralstandardthaninthestandardofheight
orbulk.Nogreatermenarenowthaneverwere.Asingularequalitymaybe
observedbetweenthegreatmenofthefirstandofthelastagesnorcanallthe
science,art,religion,andphilosophyofthenineteenthcenturyavailtoeducate
greatermenthanPlutarch'sheroes,threeorfourandtwentycenturiesago.Notin
timeistheraceprogressive.Phocion,Socrates,Anaxagoras,Diogenes,aregreat
men,buttheyleavenoclass.Hewhoisreallyoftheirclasswillnotbecalledby
theirname,butwillbehisownman,and,inhisturn,thefounderofasect.The
artsandinventionsofeachperiodareonlyitscostume,anddonotinvigorate
men.Theharmoftheimprovedmachinerymaycompensateitsgood.Hudson
andBehringaccomplishedsomuchintheirfishingboats,astoastonishParry
andFranklin,whoseequipmentexhaustedtheresourcesofscienceandart.
Galileo,withanoperaglass,discoveredamoresplendidseriesofcelestial
phenomenathananyonesince.ColumbusfoundtheNewWorldinanundecked
boat.Itiscurioustoseetheperiodicaldisuseandperishingofmeansand
machinery,whichwereintroducedwithloudlaudationafewyearsorcenturies
before.Thegreatgeniusreturnstoessentialman.Wereckonedthe
improvementsoftheartofwaramongthetriumphsofscience,andyetNapoleon
conqueredEuropebythebivouac,whichconsistedoffallingbackonnakedvalor,
anddisencumberingitofallaids.TheEmperorhelditimpossibletomakea
perfectarmy,saysLasCasas,"withoutabolishingourarms,magazines,
commissaries,andcarriages,until,inimitationoftheRomancustom,thesoldier
shouldreceivehissupplyofcorn,grinditinhishandmill,andbakehisbread
himself."

Societyisawave.Thewavemovesonward,butthewaterofwhichitiscomposed
doesnot.Thesameparticledoesnotrisefromthevalleytotheridge.Itsunityis
onlyphenomenal.Thepersonswhomakeupanationtoday,nextyeardie,and
theirexperiencewiththem.

AndsotherelianceonProperty,includingtherelianceongovernmentswhich
protectit,isthewantofselfreliance.Menhavelookedawayfromthemselvesand
atthingssolong,thattheyhavecometoesteemthereligious,learned,andcivil
institutionsasguardsofproperty,andtheydeprecateassaultsonthese,because
theyfeelthemtobeassaultsonproperty.Theymeasuretheiresteemofeach
otherbywhateachhas,andnotbywhateachis.Butacultivatedmanbecomes
ashamedofhisproperty,outofnewrespectforhisnature.Especiallyhehates
whathehas,ifheseethatitisaccidental,cametohimbyinheritance,orgift,
orcrimethenhefeelsthatitisnothavingitdoesnotbelongtohim,hasnoroot
inhim,andmerelyliesthere,becausenorevolutionornorobbertakesitaway.
Butthatwhichamanisdoesalwaysbynecessityacquire,andwhattheman
acquiresislivingproperty,whichdoesnotwaitthebeckofrulers,ormobs,or
revolutions,orfire,orstorm,orbankruptcies,butperpetuallyrenewsitself
whereverthemanbreathes."Thylotorportionoflife,"saidtheCaliphAli,"is
seekingaftertheethereforebeatrestfromseekingafterit."Ourdependenceon

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5/1/2017 SelfReliance

theseforeigngoodsleadsustoourslavishrespectfornumbers.Thepolitical
partiesmeetinnumerousconventionsthegreatertheconcourse,andwitheach
newuproarofannouncement,ThedelegationfromEssex!TheDemocratsfrom
NewHampshire!TheWhigsofMaine!theyoungpatriotfeelshimselfstronger
thanbeforebyanewthousandofeyesandarms.Inlikemannerthereformers
summonconventions,andvoteandresolveinmultitude.Notso,Ofriends!will
theGoddeigntoenterandinhabityou,butbyamethodpreciselythereverse.It
isonlyasamanputsoffallforeignsupport,andstandsalone,thatIseehimtobe
strongandtoprevail.Heisweakerbyeveryrecruittohisbanner.Isnotaman
betterthanatown?Asknothingofmen,andintheendlessmutation,thouonly
firmcolumnmustpresentlyappeartheupholderofallthatsurroundsthee.He
whoknowsthatpowerisinborn,thatheisweakbecausehehaslookedforgood
outofhimandelsewhere,andsoperceiving,throwshimselfunhesitatinglyonhis
thought,instantlyrightshimself,standsintheerectposition,commandshis
limbs,worksmiraclesjustasamanwhostandsonhisfeetisstrongerthana
manwhostandsonhishead.

SouseallthatiscalledFortune.Mostmengamblewithher,andgainall,andlose
all,asherwheelrolls.Butdothouleaveasunlawfulthesewinnings,anddeal
withCauseandEffect,thechancellorsofGod.IntheWillworkandacquire,and
thouhastchainedthewheelofChance,andshaltsithereafteroutoffearfromher
rotations.Apoliticalvictory,ariseofrents,therecoveryofyoursick,orthe
returnofyourabsentfriend,orsomeotherfavorableevent,raisesyourspirits,
andyouthinkgooddaysarepreparingforyou.Donotbelieveit.Nothingcan
bringyoupeacebutyourself.Nothingcanbringyoupeacebutthetriumphof
principles.

[History][SelfReliance][Compensation][SpiritualLaws][Love][Friendship][Prudence]
[Heroism][TheOverSoul][Circles][Intellect][Art]

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