Ralph Waldo Emerson

1
Ralph Waldo Emerson
2
Transcendentalism

• Emerson would start out as a Unitarian minister,
  but would soon move away from it, as he could no
  longer teach in good conscience many of the
  things believed by ordinary Christians.

3
Biography

• Standing by Emersons grave Walt Whitman noted A
  just man, poised on himself, all-loving,
  all-inclosing, and sane and clear as the sun.

4
Emersons Essays History

• The student is to read history actively and not
  passively to esteem his own life the text, and
  books the commentary. He should see that he can
  live all history in his own person.

5
Emersons Essays Compensation

• But for every benefit which you receive, a tax
  is levied. He is great who confers the most
  benefits. He is base to receive favors and render
  none.

6
Emersons Essays Friendship

• Every man alone is sincere. At the entrance of a
  second person hypocrisy begins. A friend is a
  person with whom I may be sincere.

7
Emersons Essays Heroism

• The essence of greatness is the perception that
  virtue is enough.

8
Emersons Essays The Over-Soul

• The philosophy of six thousand years has not
  searched the chambers and magazines of the soul.
  Man is a stream whose source is hidden.

9
Emersons Essays Self-Reliance

• We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed
  of that divine idea which each of us represents.

10
Emersons Essays Self-Reliance

• No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature.
  I am ashamed to think how easily we capitulate to
  badges and names, to large societies and dead
  institutions.

11
Emersons Essays Self-Reliance

• We must go alone. I like the silent church
  before the service begins better than any
  preaching.