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The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson
The definitive collection of Emerson's major speeches, essays, and poetry, The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson chronicles the life's work of a true "American Scholar."
As one of the architects of the transcendentalist movement, Emerson embraced a philosophy that championed the individual, emphasized independent thought, and prized "the splendid laby...more
As one of the architects of the transcendentalist movement, Emerson embraced a philosophy that championed the individual, emphasized independent thought, and prized "the splendid laby...more
Paperback, (Modern Library Classics), 880 pages
Published
September 30th 2009
by Modern Library
(first published September 12th 2000)
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In reading Emerson it readily becomes apparent why it is that such as Nietzsche revered his essaying person, tapping as he does into that interior reserve of the individual spirit who—whether she be isolated in starlit reclusion or thronged by fellow beings in day aglow bustle—must grapple, at the last, with the fact that she is alone and in that solitariness must self-arm to face the enduring struggle of time-taut life. I don't always agree with Emerson (or Nietzsche, for that matter) but I lov...more
BEAUTIFUL.
"Man is timid and apologetic; he is no longer upright; he dares not say 'I think,' 'I am,' but quotes some saint or sage. He is ashamed before the blade of grass or the blowing rose. These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are; they exist with God to-day. There is no time to them. There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence. Before a leaf-bud has burst, its whole life acts; in ...more
"Man is timid and apologetic; he is no longer upright; he dares not say 'I think,' 'I am,' but quotes some saint or sage. He is ashamed before the blade of grass or the blowing rose. These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are; they exist with God to-day. There is no time to them. There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence. Before a leaf-bud has burst, its whole life acts; in ...more
Back to Basics: Reading Emerson
Reading Emerson might make readers slightly sad (more about that later), not that Emerson expresses gloom in his most influential essays: Nature, TheDivinity School Address, and Self Reliance. His words reflect the optimism he felt for the power of the individual to understand how they fit into the world and how they might serve their community and country. A child of the American Revolution, he and his audience...
Continue reading on Examine...more
Don't think I'll read the whole thing, but:
At first I had no clue what Emerson was talking about, and I chalked it up to him being all transcendentalist. Then I got to "Intellect" and things started to hit home. Then I read (ironically enough) "Transcendenalist" and not only did I become convinced that (1) Emerson is worth reading and (2) Emerson is worth reading as philosophy but also that (a) he lines up well with a lot of pragmatic ideas and (b) he lines up wel...more
At first I had no clue what Emerson was talking about, and I chalked it up to him being all transcendentalist. Then I got to "Intellect" and things started to hit home. Then I read (ironically enough) "Transcendenalist" and not only did I become convinced that (1) Emerson is worth reading and (2) Emerson is worth reading as philosophy but also that (a) he lines up well with a lot of pragmatic ideas and (b) he lines up wel...more
Can anybody truly be done reading emerson?
Emerson is my favorite poet/philosopher, and this one volume contains all his writings you could ever need. I agree with Emerson wholeheartedly about 33% of the time, disagree with him vehemently about 33%, and can't decide whether I agree or not the rest of the time. But he's always compelling, even if I think he's dead wrong.
The greatest thing about Emerson is how quotable he is. There are dozens of great one-liners here. One of my favorites: "A foolish consistency is the...more
The greatest thing about Emerson is how quotable he is. There are dozens of great one-liners here. One of my favorites: "A foolish consistency is the...more
I have only read the "Nature" lecture but so far this as been an excellent book. It is a hard read at times but if I take the time I can always understand what he is getting at.
I enjoy gleaning fundamental truths from his paragraphs. It seems like our world would be a bit better if we took a step back and adopted some of the "old ways" to a certain extent.
I enjoy gleaning fundamental truths from his paragraphs. It seems like our world would be a bit better if we took a step back and adopted some of the "old ways" to a certain extent.
This is a very deep book--very fitting for a deep person such as myself. :o) Seriously, this book is a lot to chew and I'm only reading it for English. However, I can honestly say that the parts I understood really were kind of interesting.
Lauren
rated it
I read most of this collection during an independent study during my junior year of college. I picked it up again last night and can't put it down; Emerson changed the way I think about everything.
Emerson is by far my favorite of all time. Every essay, every quote, every writing is worthy of being read...I get something new from this book no matter how many times I read it.
Jeff Hrusko
added it
When driving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, there's a sign on the border that says "America start here." Well when it comes to American literature, it starts with Emerson
What more could one want from the address given to Harvard Divinity School? I mean, not being invited back for 30 years is pretty impressive a feet. Excellent.
I find Emerson to be a bit richer with language and philosophical nuance than Thoreau, though sometimes too oblique. He works nicely in conjunction with Nietzsche.
Not always the clearest of writers, Emerson amazes me regardless. Heck, even his imprecision impresses. I love reading his works during the spring.
another book, that I consider one of my "bibles" great great spiritual help, I get from this book....he's a master, as far as I'm concerned....
Hsgray
is currently reading it
I love Emerson. He is brilliant. Right now I am reading his essay on Friendship. I have read his essays over and over since college.
The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson (Modern Library Classics) by Ralph Waldo Emerson (2000)
"For himself, he declared that he could not get enough alone to write a letter to a friend."
I have never read a book that had a more profound change on my way of thinking.
this is my jack off material. gorgeous language. "self-reliance" is life changing.
one of my favorites - highly underlined, read bits every now and then
This work will change the way you think about... everything.
I love Emerson! "Experience" is my favorite essay.
"Give all to love, obey thy heart."
michael
is currently reading it
can't get enough of Ralph Waldo
A great collection of prose.
Jared
is currently reading it
It's about time I suppose.
Trust thyself.
James
rated it
Recommends it for:
Those who seek insight on the relationship between man and world
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recently-read
This is a huge book that contains not only every influential essay Emerson wrote, but also a lot of his poetry and a very good introductory biography. Emerson is the perfect author for those who are going through a philosophical awakening and are looking for insights into the world and the way we as humans relate to it, and therefore ourselves. Don't expect a fully developed, systematic philosophy here; transcendentalism is more of a way of seeing things.
Self-Reliance remains my pers...more
Self-Reliance remains my pers...more
To be honest, I haven't even come close to reading this entire book - I think I was assigned two or three essays in a college sophomore English class. But the presence of "Self-Reliance" alone makes it an essential part of my desert-island library. This is the essay where Emerson makes the famous statement "Trust thyself," and the rest of the essay lays out why. "Self-Reliance" is the ultimate weapon against any bout of insecurity or low self-esteem.
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Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, poet, and leader of the Transcendentalist movement in the early nineteenth century.
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Mar 10, 2009 12:43am