Summary of Emerson's _Self-Reliance_

Within the glorious depths of Ralph Waldo Emerson's works, his essay, Self-Reliance, stands out as a great intellectual argument in favor of the reliance in ones' self, or one's attribute of self-reliance.  According to dictionary.com, self-reliance is defined as "the reliance on oneself or one's own powers, resources."  In this essay, Emerson stresses what he has always pushed for; the importance of individualism and the rejection of conformity and adherence to the roles established by society.

"Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.  Society is a joint-stock company in which the members agree for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater.  The virtue in most request is conformity."

Being well acquainted with the ways of society, Emerson knew how it worked.  He also knew what that conformity would ultimately lead to; a stagnant society, never moving, and never progressing.  This sought-after progress, however, was achieved in a very different way.  It was achieved through the full, individual expression of one's soul.

"The power which resides in [man] is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried."

As one of the lead Transcendentalists, Emerson was a large proponent of the power of the individual.  He knew that history is changed and written by men, and by no other power.  Changes to that extent are natural results of the innate power that each has.  Emerson noticed this, and encouraged realizing the full potential that God has given to every individual; forgetting no one.  A potential that if, fully unlocked, will completely change our reality.

"Great men have always [accepted the place the divine providence has found for them] and confided themselves childlike to the genius of their age."

Ralph Waldo Emerson noticed that through all the hustle and bustle of the time (which actually continued and magnified past his time and into our age), every instance of success could be traced back to their humility. Each of those "great men" submitted to their circumstance, and did the best with what they had.  And what those efforts accomplished.

However, no matter how much potential one may have, it is worthless without a force to set that stored energy into motion.

An eloquent point, which Emerson emphasizes more than any other, is that in order to do something, to do anything, one needs to set that potential into motion.  Lao Tzu once said that "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  As easy as that may sound, it can be hard.  As noticed by Madame Marie du Deffand, "The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult."

However, Emerson also knew how intimidating that was to most everyone.  He realized the fear that is present in everyone's minds when faced with the opportunity to express their greatness.  The fear of being inadequate.

"Trust thyself."

With those two simple words, he gave the advice of a lifetime; the key to all secrets and mysteries.  In order to fulfill your true potential, the essential piece is self-confidence.  With that step in place, the entire world is open to the individual.

Through self-confidence, you begin to rely on yourself more.  Your self-reliance then becomes your greatest ally.  "Whoso would be a man," explains Emerson, "must needs be a conformist . . . Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind."

Emerson's essay entitled Self-Reliance still stands today as a strong argument against the traditional thoughts of society. After just less than two centuries, Emerson's words still ring loudly in the minds of all who read his work.