Self-Reliance

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Overview

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and

philosophers and divines."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

Self-Reliance (1841) is an essay that articulates Emerson's belief in the importance of individualism and the need for each individual to rely on their own ideas and instincts. It offers an analysis of what the author describes as the "aboriginal self on which a universal reliance may be grounded" and maintains that everyone can achieve happiness by changing their mindset.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781646795062
Publisher:	Cosimo Classics
Publication date:	01/01/1900
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	541,135
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.10(d)

About the Author

RALPH WALDO EMERSON (1803-1882) was an American poet and essayist. Universally known as the Sage of Concord, Emerson established himself as a leading spokesman of transcendentalism and as a major figure in American literature. His additional works include a series of lectures published as Representative Men (1850), The Conduct of Life (1860), and Society and Solitude (1870).

Editorial Reviews

"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

"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

Ralph Waldo Emerson's seminal essay about nonconformism rings as true today as it did when it was published in 1841. Novelist and radio host Kurt Andersen has the ideal voice for this work. He gives it a spirited delivery, but his narration is overly emphatic, and he reads too quickly, making it hard to follow the dense text. But Andersen is clearly invested in his reading, giving it passion and enthusiasm. Overall, this is a good reading of 90 minutes of wisdom that everyone should listen to. K.M. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

JULY 2011 - AudioFile