Emerson’s “Self-Reliance" pretty much speaks for it self. It emphasizes people’s need to really rely on their selves, to not focus on being accepted by society, and to really focus on being an individual instead of having some kind of a desperate need of belonging to a community which I can say I do agree with, however, the idea of self-reliance here can be dangerous, can cause isolation, and it is a bit too idealistic. It is sound when Emerson brings up the issue of people who let go of their dreams or of their ideas just because they are afraid of how society perceives them. They easily let go of their dreams and allow other people who are not afraid of society’s opinion to steal their ideas, basically, it is better to follow your own thought, no matter how ridiculous it may seem or someone else will take that idea and run with it. Also, the idea of hard work and its consequences (good) are also emphasized in Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” which can be seen when he states, “A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart in his work and done his best”. There is no other feeling than feeling proud when you have worked so hard for something and you gave your whole heart into it and it becomes successful. The accomplishment makes you feel confident that you can do anything.
Although, I do agree with most of Emerson’s rhetoric, there were some statements that can be dangerous if used for the wrong reasons. When someone starts throwing out phrases like “the only right is what is after my constitution, the only wrong what is against it or What I must do, is all that concerns me, not that people think”, it becomes dangerous especially when read by, shall we say, a very angry, messed up (mentally), and lonely individual who can take this phrase and cause havoc on other people. For instance, Emerson states “To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart, is true for all men, -that is genius”. Hum, okay, are we forgetting about Hitler, Ida Amin, and other crazy rulers who believed in what ever the craziness they believed in and used that craziness that they called their beliefs to cause unbelievable brutality in the world. Should they be commended on following their own beliefs, on carrying out their beliefs, and causing havoc on their innocent victims? I am going to assume that Emerson is not advocating for people to be the next Hitlers or Ida Amins of the world. So, maybe, just maybe, Emerson is stating that the ability to have any belief, a belief that was not forced onto you, a belief that is yours and your alone, whether you want everyone to belief in it or not is not important, but the fact that it was your idea and your belief is what really matters; it is an authentic belief and idea.
It seems as if most of Emerson’s proverbs or advices have some sense of duality because they do seem as if they are good advice to live by, however, they can also seem arrogant and selfish. An instance is when Emerson states” Envy is ignorance” and “imitation is suicide”. Yes, being envious of someone can be ignorant, can cause jealousy , and hatred, however, why does envy have to be completely ignorance, why can’t it be a stepping stool for someone to better themselves. If I see someone who has something that I have been killing myself to get, why shouldn’t that motivate me to work harder to get whatever it is that I have been killing myself for. Also, why does imitation have to be suicide? Why can’t imitation be a sign of respect? Hell, I would love to have a life that resembles Oprah’s; I would also love to imitate the beliefs of Martin Luther King Jr., Pastor Festus Adeyeye, and Gandhi. Yes, maybe I am not following an original precept of living my life; maybe I am not coming up with my own rules of how I want to live, however, these individuals who have lived marvelous lives are my teachers in hopes of also having a life that resembles their own.
Yes, I do agree that people do not need to conform to societal pressure in order to fit in, people should believe in their ability to accomplish anything they put their minds to, people should believe that they are smart enough to come up with ideas that have never been though of before, however, there is a line between self reliance and selfishness. Why is it wrong to want to help the poor, why is it wrong to want to give to the poor? Yes, there are some institutions that use money that are suppose to be for the poor for their own benefits, which pisses me off, however, that does not mean that everyone is like that. Yes, have your beliefs, but don’t impose that belief onto others, have your own mind and do something wonderful with that belief, but don’t be selfish or completely secluded from the world just because you have your own beliefs. Again, Emerson makes some great points, however, caution is advised.