Essays - First SeriesAmerican essayist, philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882) lead Transcendentalism in the early nineteenth century and greatly influenced the later New Thought movement. Summing up his work, Emerson said that his primary principle was "the infinitude of the private man", and advised to "make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." His First Series collects together the following 12 essays: History, Self-Reliance, Compensation, Spiritual Laws, Love, Friendship, Prudence, Heroism, The Over-Soul, Circles, Intellect and Art. |
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Page 8
A true aspirant therefore never needs look for allusions personal and laudatory in discourse. He hears the commendation, not of himself, but, more sweet, of that character he seeks, in every word that is said concerning character, ...
A true aspirant therefore never needs look for allusions personal and laudatory in discourse. He hears the commendation, not of himself, but, more sweet, of that character he seeks, in every word that is said concerning character, ...
Page 9
Muse of history will utter oracles, as never to those who do not respect themselves. I have no expectation that any man will read history aright who thinks that what was done in a remote age, by men whose names have resounded far, ...
Muse of history will utter oracles, as never to those who do not respect themselves. I have no expectation that any man will read history aright who thinks that what was done in a remote age, by men whose names have resounded far, ...
Page 13
... individuals the fixed species, through many species the genus, through all genera the steadfast type, through all the kingdoms of organized life the eternal unity. Nature is a mutable cloud which is always and never the same.
... individuals the fixed species, through many species the genus, through all genera the steadfast type, through all the kingdoms of organized life the eternal unity. Nature is a mutable cloud which is always and never the same.
Page 14
cloud which is always and never the same. She casts the same thought into troops of forms, as a poet makes twenty fables with one moral. Through the bruteness and toughness of matter, a subtle spirit bends all things to its own will.
cloud which is always and never the same. She casts the same thought into troops of forms, as a poet makes twenty fables with one moral. Through the bruteness and toughness of matter, a subtle spirit bends all things to its own will.
Page 15
... of action and never transgressing the ideal serenity; like votaries performing some religious dance before the gods, and, though in convulsive pain or mortal combat, never daring to break the figure and decorum of their dance.
... of action and never transgressing the ideal serenity; like votaries performing some religious dance before the gods, and, though in convulsive pain or mortal combat, never daring to break the figure and decorum of their dance.
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Contents
4 | |
39 | |
Compensation | 80 |
Spiritual Laws | 112 |
Love | 145 |
Friendship | 164 |
Prudence | 188 |
Heroism | 207 |
The OverSoul | 226 |
Circles | 254 |
Intellect | 274 |
Art | 295 |
Endnotes | 313 |
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Common terms and phrases
action affection already appear beauty become behold believe better body cause character child circumstance comes common conversation deep divine draw earth eternal existence experience expression face fact fall fear feel force friendship genius give hand hear heart highest hope hour human imagination individual intellect leave less light live look lose man's manner mean meet mind moral nature never object once organs painted particular pass past perfect persons poet present prudence reason relations religion secret seek seems seen sense side society soul speak spirit stand sweet teach thee things thou thought true truth universal virtue whilst whole wisdom wise write young