Once in a while, there comes a writer with the rare ability to make one feel as if they never really understood the world in the first place. Ralph Waldo Emerson was one such writer.
A philosopher, lecturer and poet all wrapped up in one, Emerson displays the power of this unique blend in his immortal essays. Emerson combines his incredible understanding of life with his equally strong command of the English language in order to delineate the various topics discussed in his work.
Without going into too much detail (as it would greatly deprive prospective readers the pleasure of reading these essays for themselves), I would like to share a few pearls of wisdom taken from this book.
In one of his most famed essays, Self-Reliance, Emerson states:
"He who knows that power is inborn, that he is weak because he has looked for good out of him and elsewhere, and so perceiving throws himself unhesitatingly on his thought, instantly rights himself, stands in the erect position, commands his limbs, works miracles; just as a man who stands on his feet is stronger than a man who stands on his head."
In Compensation, Emerson states:
"Our strength grows out of our weakness. The indignation which arms itself with secret forces does not awaken until we are pricked and stung and sorely assailed. A great man is always willing to be little. While he sits on the cushion of advantages, he goes to sleep. When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood; he has gained facts; learns his ignorance; is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill..."
And in The Over-Soul, Emerson writes:
"The soul is the perceiver and revealer of truth. We know truth when we see it, let skeptic and scoffer say what they choose. Foolish people ask you, when you have spoken what they do not wish to hear, 'How do you know it is truth and not an error of your own?' We know truth when we see it, from opinion, as we know when we are awake that we are awake..."
I could go on and on about the many other great statements in this book, but the message is clear. This is highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in philosophy and spirituality.
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