The American Scholar

"Each philosopher, each bard, each actor, has only done for me, as by a delegate, what one day I can do for myself."

This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson's speech The American Scholar drew me directly to another of his quotes; that of "defer never to the popular cry." In context, both of these quotes exemplify his argument to see the world through your own eyes, not the eyes of another human, and to interpret all other knowledge through your own mind rather than taking it at face value. These are both integral components of a constructive thought processes which aims to achieve more than regurgitate past knowledge. In essence, I believe Emerson is also alluding to the belief that no matter how great the man promoting an idea, it will only be as well received as it is understood - ie: the proverb of a chain being only as strong as its weakest link. This spin on his quote then interprets it as meaning that no other human's knowledge can be absorbed without fully understanding the logic behind it - that some ideas cannot be absorbed by those who cannot fathom them - which I truly believe.

Emerson states how fragmented and independent society will forever be and attributes this to uniqueness of mind - of thought. Another man's thought does not resound with you unless you understand it - unless you can make meaning of it yourself.