Self-Reliance

I loved reading Self-Reliance because it was filled with truth-bombs. So many of the statements really spoke to me, so I thought I would share a few really quotes that I found really applicable.


1. "We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of the divine idea which each of us represents" (Emerson 2).  I find, in my daily life, I often restrain my thoughts in order to not offend people or not have to not share my ideas because what I would say would cause others to judge me. This statement is true especially when my opinion is different then someone else's. When discussing certain topics, some answers are expected and if our answer deviates from what the other person is predicting us to say, judgement and argument can follow. Often to avoid this altercation, I will say, "Hmmmm...I haven't thought about that yet". When in actually, I have and my opinion is just different from theirs.


2. To go along with my first observation, Emerson continues, "For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure. And therefore a man must know how to estimate a sour face" (Emerson 3). When encountering a situation like the one above, I read the person's sour face and then answer accordingly. The few times  I have given my non-conforming opinion I have been told I was wrong and received a very sour look (much like the one in the above picture) because of my nonconformity. Going to a Christian school really amplifies the degree to which this is enacted because many of life's unanswered questions are involving religion. When my opinion differs on a religious matter it is usually because the answer is not in the Bible, and therefore a question mark. Most of the time, people are very dead-set about opinion oriented questions in relation to the Bible. Therefore, when I tell my opposing opinion, I am shut down and my idea is rejected by the other person. The person was displeased with my answer, like Emerson said would happen.


3. In order to form opposing beliefs often I can't be in a group situation. Emerson says, "it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude" (Emerson 3). Like I mentioned above, in conversation I often find myself concealing my true opinion. However, when I'm on my own, I don't have to lie to myself or flee from the judgement of others because there is no one to flee from. I wish I could be the great man and not be afraid of the judgement of others, but for now I will stay under the cloak of "hmmm....I haven't thought about that yet".


Question: Do you often not share your opinion because of what others may think?