Comparing Emerson And David Thoreau

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Some people see self-reliance as unimportant in their life; however, self-reliance is important for everyone. Ralph Waldo Emerson and David Thoreau were two transcendentalists that uncovered the idea of and defined the role of the individual within or without society, otherwise known as self-reliance. Self-reliance is defined as the reliance on one's own powers and resources rather than those of others. Self-reliance is important for sustainable development because it enables people to be themselves by expressing their feelings and desires. Self-reliance allows everyone to be independent and perform things their way. Self-reliance also helps shape out who we will become in the future. With self-reliance, people can be themselves by expressing their feelings and desires toward a specific situation. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a leader of the Transcendentalist movement, publicized his thoughts in ---------. He says, “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” Emerson explains that the thing that finally sets someone apart from everyone else is the individual integrity, principles, and truth of each person. In simpler words, no one should feel like they are trapped from being themselves. There is something unique and original about everyone. People should express who they are and be proud of it, because at the …show more content…

There have been a variety of cases throughout history where people or a group have decided to separate themselves from ideas they did not believe in and present the ideas they believed in; people, including Jesus Christ, Martin Luther, and the founding fathers of the United States. For example, “No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature” (Emerson). In this quote, Emerson simply states that it is most important to do the right thing. This quote signifies that people should stick up for what they believe in and present things the way that they think they should

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