What is Self-Reliance - 795 Words

Some may ask, what is self-reliance? Self- Reliance is defined as relying on one’s own capabilities, judgment, resources, or independence. In â€Å"Self-Reliance†, written by an American Transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson describes how we should live and prosper as a human being. In order to be self- realigned one must trust themselves, believe in themselves, and create individualism. The search for self-reliance comes from loving something, mainly yourself. Emerson states throughout his essay in order to be an individual you have to trust and be completely honest with yourself. You need to accept who you truly are as a person. Emerson’s self-reliance implies that one must be true to the self, above all others. He states: â€Å"Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. This quote states that if you trust yourself, then you can truly be content in whatever you do or wherever you go. Always speak the truth because that is the only way you can be true to yourself. When you trust yourself you live in a state of peace and your heart vibrates like a string on a guitar, making the music pleasing to the ear and the body. In today’s society this quote applies to everyone. Trust is important in relationships, and one must have confidence in themselves and others in life. Emerson was a religious man, so he tells us to trust that God put you here for a reason. He has a plan for everyone. By trusting yourself in you will begin to discover your self-worth. What you think ofShow MoreRelatedWhat Makes A Self Reliance?1691 Words   |  7 PagesWho is an American that embodies self-reliance and independence? Self-reliance, or independence as an individual, is an uniquely American trait. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-14, relating to this value, says to work hard, urge people to work for their own earning, and not be a burden on others. Without self-reliance, America could not be the country it is today. One person who embodies this American value would be Ulysses S. Grant. Grant showed this quality in his hard work to his family and country. He wasRead MoreAutonomy and Self-Reliance: Kant Vs. Emmerson1682 Words   |  7 PagesThe Autonomy of Self-Reliance In the late eighteenth century, with the publication of his theories on morality, Immanuel Kant revolutionized philosophy in a way that greatly impacted the decades of thinkers after him. The result of his influence led to perceptions and interpretations of his ideas reflected in the works of writers all around the world. Kant’s idealism stems from a claim that moral law, a set of innate rules within each individual, gives people the ability to reason, and itRead MoreThe Importance Of Self Reliance By David Thoreau818 Words   |  4 PagesThe Importance of Self Reliance One of the transcendentalist beliefs is that you should rely on yourself. Transcendentalism is a idea that you have to experience and understand nature. It developed in the early 1800’s. It has 5 core beliefs: nonconformity, self reliance, free thought, confidence, and importance of nature. The texts I will use as examples are Excerpts from Walden, and Self-Reliance. The authors of these are Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau. Self Reliance helps you surviveRead MoreSelf-Reliance English Essay802 Words   |  4 PagesSelf-Reliance Megan Delgado P.5 Make-up The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines self-reliance as reliance on ones own efforts, and abilities; Personal independence. Synonyms in the thesaurus include aptitude and ability to pertain independence. Yet self-reliance is so much more than its definition or synonyms; It doesnt exactly mean what the word itself states Reliance on oneself. It has a wide variety of interpretation and complexity than any definition provided for youRead MoreRalph Waldo Emersons Theory Of Transcendentalism1406 Words   |  6 PagesWhy fit in when you were born to stand out this quote was written by Dr. Suess and is an example of self reliance. In the transcendentalist era the whole idea of transcendentalism was self reliance, and having relationships with nature and spiritual wealth. For example Emerson wrote an essay called Self-Reliance talking about self reliance and people taking care of themselves instead of trusting other people to help. In the transcendentalist era during the 1800s i n America, people relied on themselvesRead MoreSelf-Reliance636 Words   |  3 PagesSanaya Williams PH-221 Professor Bradley Final Paper- Ralph Waldo Emerson Self-Reliance â€Å"Self- Reliance† is considered one of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s best-known essays. The essay was first published in 1841 in his collection, Essays: First Series. This essay contains the most thorough statement of Emerson’s emphasis on the need for individuals to avoid conformity and false consistency, and instead follow their own instincts and ideas. This essay shows Emerson’s ways for making and translating classicalRead MoreThe Theme of Self-Reliance in Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson821 Words   |  4 PagesThe Theme of Self-Reliance in Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson I will, in the following, discuss the theme of self-reliance in the above-mentioned texts. But what exactly is self-reliance? In his 1841 publication called Essays, Ralph Waldo Emerson includes an essay simply entitled Self-Reliance in which he states Trust thyself#8230;Great men have always done so and confided themselves childlike to the genius of their age#8230; . Self-reliance is thus defined as the ability to be your own masterRead MoreWakefulness: Thoreau, Whitman, and Emerson1532 Words   |  7 Pagesintellectual exertion throughout everyday life is essential to becoming self-reliant, creating a more intellectual and better community, and becoming closer to god. Being self-reliant is brought up in many of Thoreau, Emerson, and Whitman’s work and if one wants to understand the idea of Wakefulness, then they need to understand self-reliance. In his book, Walden, Thoreau writes about the idea that in order to be awake, one must be self-reliant. In Walden, Thoreau leaves his life in Concord, MassachusettsRead MoreTranscendentalism : Ralph Waldo Emerson And Henry David Thoreau967 Words   |  4 Pagesthis quote, â€Å"People... have knowledge about themselves and the world around them that transcends... what they can see, hear, taste, touch or feel†(History). This is a perfect explanation for what a transcendentalist is and what makes them so special. There are several important transcendentalist ideas that were expressed by Emerson and Thoreau, but few are as necessary as these; nature, self-reliance, and life quality. Nature is one of the most essential transcendentalist ideas that Emerson and ThoreauRead MoreEmerson Individualism Essay1222 Words   |  5 PagesEmerson begins his major work on individualism by declaring the importance of thinking for oneself instead of humbly acquiring someone else’s belief. Emerson says, â€Å"To believe that what is true in your private heart is true for all men — that is genius†. The one who scorns personal intuition and, instead, chooses to admit others opinions lacks the inventive power necessary for strong, fearless individualism. Emerson says, â€Å"Trust thyself,† a saying that ties along this initial section of the essay