Self-Reliance and Other Essays (Dover Thrift Editions)
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
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when i read this i was 20 and under the impression that what was shitty about the world and people could be changed and that me and my friends could make an impact for the better on people just by talking to them and reasoning with them.
since then i've lost god and watch w "win" back to back elections, so I guess you could say i'm a bit more jaded.
still, i like a lot of what emerson says. self-reliance cannot be underestimated. if only we chided ourselves for our mistakes instead...more
since then i've lost god and watch w "win" back to back elections, so I guess you could say i'm a bit more jaded.
still, i like a lot of what emerson says. self-reliance cannot be underestimated. if only we chided ourselves for our mistakes instead...more
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Read in January, 1993
"Ne te quaesiveris extra."
i loved these essays in high school despite having to read emerson for a presentation. this is one book i really wish were here on my shelf and not back in indiana.
"So use all that is called Fortune. Most men gamble with her, and gain all, and lose all, as her wheel rolls. But do thou leave as unlawful these winnings, and deal with Cause and Effect, the chancellors of God. In the Will work and acquire, and thou hast chained the wheel of Chance, a...more
i loved these essays in high school despite having to read emerson for a presentation. this is one book i really wish were here on my shelf and not back in indiana.
"So use all that is called Fortune. Most men gamble with her, and gain all, and lose all, as her wheel rolls. But do thou leave as unlawful these winnings, and deal with Cause and Effect, the chancellors of God. In the Will work and acquire, and thou hast chained the wheel of Chance, a...more
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Read in August, 2007
School Address: pretty much amazing. summed up all the reasons christianity makes me want to vomit up my soul. terrifying first read for my first english class at my new catholic school. but yeah, we can all be jesus.
self-reliance: took a couple of reads...the first brought to mind those that use nonconformism as an excuse to be a douche all the time...mad cliche and crazy boring. and i sat thinking "didn't i see that line stitched on a throw pillow or painted on one of those insp...more
self-reliance: took a couple of reads...the first brought to mind those that use nonconformism as an excuse to be a douche all the time...mad cliche and crazy boring. and i sat thinking "didn't i see that line stitched on a throw pillow or painted on one of those insp...more
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Read in January, 1998
"There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till. The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he ...more
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I'm a huge Emerson fan and, while many do not consider him the finest in terms of literary merit (though I enjoy his prose) and he himself felt Thoreau would be more the poetic prophet of Transcendentalism, Emerson's style and philosophy are dear to my heart. (PS I read many other misc. essays and books by/about Emerson and Thoreau for one of my MA term papers, so if anyone happens to be interested, let me know and I'll pull up my old Works Cited page!)
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** this has nothing to do with the essays, but it is an important note**
I just started reading "The Gay Science" by Nietzsche, and the author pointed out that Nietzsche is very much a fan of Emerson and Emerson somewhat of Nietzsche, which I had never connected the dots, even with the "cave thing". Thus, losing my self proclaimed title of "highly perceptive ninja".
I just started reading "The Gay Science" by Nietzsche, and the author pointed out that Nietzsche is very much a fan of Emerson and Emerson somewhat of Nietzsche, which I had never connected the dots, even with the "cave thing". Thus, losing my self proclaimed title of "highly perceptive ninja".
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Read in January, 1990
The essay 'Self-reliance' remains one of the most influential pieces of material that I have had to guide me in the development of my own character. So dense and spare in its proclamations, it gave me a call to arms and inspiration to become a good and true man while trusting me to determine who that man will be.
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Read in October, 2005
While Babbitt is all about social conformity, Self Reliance is all about social self reliance. &quit; Whoso would be a man must be a non-conformist. I loved the idea of a only knowing a man when he conveys to me a thought or act that is truly his own. Not something derived, or imposed from the outside world.
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Read in January, 2003
recommends it for:
The world
This book transformed my thinking of myself in existance with others on this earth and esp in this country. I loosened the hold of acculturation and resocialized myself to be selfish in order to achieve self-fulfillment. Excellent read. Every now and then I break it out for a boost.
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
Samuel Fisher
This book can change your out look on life if you can understand it. Many of the essays I had to reread to get the message and even then I fell like I missed half of it. But that is the glory of a classic, no matter how many times you read it there is something new.
Enjoy
Enjoy
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Read in January, 2008
I'm glad I finally caught up with this powerful encouragement to have faith in one's own thoughts about the world and the break with the taken-for-granted assumptions that other people entertain.
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Emerson's work makes for not only a enlighting but a amazing read! It is a must for anyone who loves transedetalism and seeks that extra bit of wit in literature. Overall Emerson is great :D
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Read in April, 2007
Great essays, but I seem to recall this edition was only excerpts. Emerson deserves to be read unabridged. More here: www.robertpeake.com/archives/2...
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You go, Ralph!
I read "Self-Reliance" to my wife on one of our first vacations together to a hotel in the woods.
Blissful self-respect, God is in you, people. Abandon the books.
I read "Self-Reliance" to my wife on one of our first vacations together to a hotel in the woods.
Blissful self-respect, God is in you, people. Abandon the books.
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I really just jumped around and read a few of his speeches, but i still thought that Emerson, and Thoreau, both greatly influence the way that we see the world.
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This book marks the beginning of thinking for myself as a young woman. I dipped my toe in the vast realm of philosophy and literature and decided to dive in.
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recommends it for:
deep thinkers and those who appreciate simple truths
Dover editions are pretty shity but, I have a couple of them and always try and travel with atleast one. As relevant today as ever.
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The Poet and Self-Reliance are all time favorites. And were life-affirming/altering when I read them. They imprinted my for life.
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This book got me through some difficult times. It helped me deal with death and pain and helped me eventually reach forgiveness.
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I should have known from the title that this wouldnt be something I vibed with, but you know, its emerson so you make allowances.
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 4.08 (556 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 4.09 (546 ratings) number of reviews: 34popular shelves
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