Self-Reliance

by Ralph Waldo Emerson Narrated by Kevin Thies

Overview

Self-Reliance is an 1841 essay written by American transcendentalist philosopher and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. It contains the most thorough statement of one of Emerson's recurrent themes: the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false consistency, and follow his own instincts and ideas. It is the source of one of Emerson's most famous quotations: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines." This essay is an analysis into the nature of the “aboriginal self on which a universal reliance may be grounded.” Emerson emphasizes the importance of individualism and its effect on an individual's satisfaction in life. He stresses that anyone is capable of achieving happiness, simply if they change their mindset. Emerson focuses on seemingly insignificant details explaining how life is "learning and forgetting and learning again".

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"

One of Fortune's Best Books of 2021

This slim volume...is in part, a gorgeously reimagined new edition of Emerson’s original 1841 essay, then, a call for perspective during time of tremendous cultural upheaval. Helfand does the world a favor by adding 12 essays of her own which help modern readers process this current moment of upheaval with much-needed Emersonian grace.

"— Fortune

"Collect the flotsam and jetsam of your mind and examine it closely via this new edition of Emerson’s Self-Reliance, accompanied by 12 mini-essays by the genius Jessica Helfand."— Vulture

Product Details

BN ID:	2940177787640
Publisher:	Evans Way Publishing
Publication date:	03/21/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged

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