Aphorism In Self-Reliance By Ralph Waldo Emerson

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An aphorism is a brief statement that expresses a general principal or truth about life. Many authors and writers used aphorisms during the age of Transcendentalism. This period in time stressed the importance of going beyond one’s imagination and arriving at an idea based on intuition rather than reason or logic. Ralph Waldo Emerson was one of these writers. In his essay, “Self-Reliance,” Emerson uses many aphorisms to stress the idea that achieving success is based on a persons willingness to shape their own ideas, be a nonconformist, and to be misunderstood. “There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance…” (Emerson 364). Ralph Waldo Emerson opens up his well distinguished essay with this aphorism. I believe that the meaning behind this is that being jealous of other people or objects is quite a childish thing to do. He opens up with this aphorism because it applies to the later statement he makes about standing apart from society. Being proud …show more content…
This is one of the most famous lines from this essay. It beautifully sums up the essence of this essay. I think it means that completing tasks independently and going one’s own way is what it takes to be an individual. Everyone has their own destined path instilled in them since birth. I don’t believe that conforming to society is apart of anyone’s journey. One has to decide that for themselves though. If someone decides to follow others and abide by society’s rules then they may never achieve their dream. If someone decides to listen to what is inside them and follow their hearts then their destined path will become more clear. It is not an easy task however. It takes a brave heart and spirit to be a nonconformist. Especially when younger, there is an extreme desire to fit in with the crowd because it means getting judged otherwise. The great Dr. Seuss once said, “Why fit in when you were born to stand
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