Essays and Lectures of Emerson

Author: [US] Polatye edited by Zhao Yifan et al
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Many essays in The Emerson Collection discuss moral cultivation. He placed great emphasis on personal development and life principles. For example, in Cultivation, he wrote: "When the whole world is pursuing power and the wealth that marks it as its sign, cultivation is correcting the theory of success." "Cultivation is a suggestion, it originates from certain excellent thoughts. It indicates that a person has a series of kinship relationships through which they can weaken the intense stimulation of any style; while confirming that this style firmly controls them, giving it a monotonous advantage on their scale, helping them oppose themselves. Cultivation restores a person's balance, placing them among those similar to and better than them, reviving their wonderful empathy, and warning them of the dangers of loneliness and exclusion." Another example is in On Character, where he said, "Integrity is a permanent victory, celebrated not only by cheers but also by tranquility, and tranquility is fixed or habitual joy." This admiration for tranquility is a way for people to avoid restlessness in the noisy mortal world. Many of Emerson's arguments are deeply philosophical, lucid, and also accessible. For instance, in On Politeness, he said, "What I need and insist on as a supplement to the various characteristics of good breeding is respect." "Loving beauty mainly means loving moderation or harmony. Those who scream, exaggerate, or act aggressively will drive everyone away from the living room. If you want to win admiration, love moderation. If you want to cover up a lack of moderation, you must be a genius or can be put to good use."