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'"Shakespeare’s youth fell in a time when the English people were importunate for dramatic entertainments.The court took offense easily at political allusions, and attempted to suppress them.The Puritans, a growing and energetic party, and the religious among the Anglican Church, would suppress them.But the people wanted them.Inn-yards, houses without roofs, and extemporaneous inclosures at country fairs, were the ready theaters of strolling players.The people had tasted this new joy; and, as we could not hope to suppress newspapers now, - no, not by the strongest party, - neither then could king, prelate, or puritan, - alone or united, suppress an organ, which was ballad, epic, newspaper, caucus, lecture, Punch, and library, at the same time."

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson is one of the most influential thinkers in American history.His Transcendentalism preached a close communion with man and nature and is one of the great life-affirming philosophies of any age.As one of the architects of the transcendentalist movement, Emerson embraced a philosophy that championed the individual, emphasized independent thought, and prized "the splendid labyrinth of one's own perceptions."More than any writer of his time, he forged a style distinct from his European predecessors and embodied and defined what it meant to be an American. Matthew Arnold called Emerson's essays "the most important work done in prose."

"I was simmering, simmering, simmering. Emerson brought me to a boil."

– Walt Whitman ... Read more

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The Tao of Emerson strikingly brings together two of the most influential voices in the history of letters: Lao Tse, the sixth-century B.C. Chinese mystic, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American transcendentalist known to many as “the sage of Concord.”

By adroitly juxtaposing on facing pages the texts of Lao Tse’s masterpiece, the Tao Te Ching, with Emerson’s writings, Richard Grossman illuminates how these two remarkable men, from opposite sides of the world and separated by 2,500 years, are united in an inspired wisdom and common spirit: to live simply and tranquilly; trust one’s own intuition; seek out and appreciate the spiritual grace in the natural world; act without self-assertion; abjure violence; harmonize with the ebb and flow of nature and circumstances; and, above all, assure that there is a place in the world for humility, yielding, gentleness, and serenity.

There is no direct path linking Lao Tse to Emerson, since the Tao Te Ching was not translated into English until 1891, nine years after Emerson’s death. But America’s Founding Thinker was nonetheless in many ways the heir to the great Chinese mystic’s insight and philosophy. As Grossman observes, “Emerson’s brand of fresh home-grown English adds a radiant color to the ancient thoughts of the Chinese Master.”

Although Lao Tse was a citizen of the world’s oldest empire and Emerson of its youngest republic, The Tao of Emerson makes the brilliantly presented case that a common literary thread binds these two men. Grossman’s Introduction, in which he compares the men’s lives, and the passages he has selected from their work give both writers a special resonance for today’s reader and help to reveal Emerson in a while new light.

This volume includes original brush calligraphy by the celebrated Taoist master Chungliang Al Huang.


Praise for The Tao of Emerson

“This inspired book from one of Emerson’s strongest readers is a great gift.Through the reflected light of the Tao Te Ching, Richard Grossman has made the core of Emerson’s wisdom transparent, allowing us to see into the heart of what makes the sage of Concord our very own Lao Tse.” —Richard G. Geldard, editor of The Essential Transcendentalists

“One measure of a spiritually serious book is whether it repeatedly stops us dead in our tracks as we read it and allows us to foresee the ultimate triumph of truth and principle in our lives and in the life of the world.This is such a book.” —Jacob Needleman, author of Why Can’t We Be Good?

“Deeply immersing himself in both the wisdom of Lao Tse and the philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Richard Grossman has produced a remarkable Guide to life, a handbook filled with venerable worlds combined to yield a new poetry of the mind.Reading it, ‘we stand,’ with Emerson, ‘before the secrets of the world.’” —Megan Marshall, author of The Peabody Sisters: Three Women Who Ignited American Romanticism

“This marvelous volume will bring joy and light to those who know or even suspect that Emersonianism is not a system, a product, or a position but a way or a path.For those who haven’t yet gotten it but want to try, this book is the perfect place to start.” —Robert D. Richardson, Jr., author of Emerson: The Mind on Fire


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very Well Done
I almost never feel compelled to review books on Amazon.In this case, however, I couldn't wait to share my excitement over this enlightening feat of comparative philosophy. Or, more accurately, complementary philosophy.By presenting the Tao Te Ching alongside selections from Ralph Waldo Emerson's writings, I was amazed at the uncanny similarities between the two.It's almost as if Lao Tsu and Emerson and conversing on the page, trading insights back and forth, each enhancing the other at every step.

I've grown weary and leery of books that claim to offer "The Tao of ..." or "Zen and the Art of ...."This time, the title is both apt and accurate.As one who is equally interested in Taoist philosophy and Emersonian thought, this fine volume is quite a treasure.

nicely done
This very nice little hardbound places each verse from the tao te ching on the left, with a philosophically corresponding selection of Emerson's verse or prose on the right.While it may be true that the TTC was not translated into english until after Emerson's death, Emerson was very aware of and a student of Asian thought, and his best writing captures/ translates much of the spirit of the Philosophy of the Eastern world.

Highly recommended little book for fans of Emerson or Eastern thought, or best of all, fans of both! ... Read more

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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

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"Man is his own star." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Probably no writer has so profoundly influenced American philosophy and literature, as did Emerson. Known as The Father of Transcendentalism, he was the focal point of a small group of intellectuals reacting against the orthodoxy of the established religions of his era.

As an active lecturer in the early 1830s, he delivered a number of landmark lectures, most notably among them - Compensation and Self-Reliance, in which Emerson fervently declares man's inherent divinity. By positing that the way to realization lay solely within, man can be fulfilled only through one's own "self-induced and self-devised efforts." Marked by a deep compassion and insight, Compensation and Self-Reliance rings like a clarion-call - one Emerson intoned steadily throughout his life. Though his last years were marked by a decline in his mental powers, his reputation as one of the outstanding figures of American letters was all but assured by the time of his death. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Quality Collection
This collection has two of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays. The first, "Compensation," is not one of his best or most famous but is one of the most representative. The staunch optimism so essential to his thought was perhaps never shown so clearly or thoroughly elsewhere. Emerson begins by saying he had wanted to write about compensation since he was a boy, and it shows in his enthusiasm. He works himself up almost to a rhapsody, giving example after example in clear, beautiful prose that remarkably never becomes dull and is often near-lyrical. The essay details Emerson's belief that everything balances out, even if we cannot see it, and that good and evil have their own earthly rewards despite appearances. He may not convince cynics, but his argument is certainly compelling, and his critiques of conventional Christianity and other traditions are very intriguing.

The second, "Self-Reliance," is Emerson's most famous essay and is rivaled only by "Concord Hymn" as his most famous work. It is also his masterpiece; one often hears - sometimes disparagingly - that Emerson tried to fit his whole philosophy into each essay, and this comes remarkably close. There is far more depth and subtlety here than the length suggests; one would be very hard-pressed to find another work so densely packed. The words are few, but the implications are enough for a lifetime. "Self" is a seminal masterwork; a founding Transcendentalist text and American Romantic cornerstone, it is central to American thought, culture, and literature. Anyone even remotely interested in any Americana aspect must be intimately familiar with it; aside from the Declaration of Independence and Constitution themselves, perhaps no other document is so vital to the American spirit.

Reading "Self" is perhaps more necessary than ever - not only because it is eternally relevant but also because it is often misrepresented. The term "self-reliance" is now almost entirely political, almost synonymous with libertarianism, and the essay is frequently touted along such lines. However, these things are hardly more than implied here, and though the definition of "liberal" has greatly changed, it is important to remember that Emerson was one of his era's leading liberals. His prime meaning in any case is self-reliance intellectually and in everyday life. He urges us to trust ourselves, to recognize human divinity and avoid imitation. It is a simple message but all-important - and far easier said than done. Emerson explores all its ramifications - philosophical, practical, social, political, economic, etc. - and outlines all its benefits. The case is beyond convincing, but he can do no more than show us; the rest is up to us.

This profoundly individualist message is another reason that reading "Self" is so necessary. Emerson now unfortunately has a reputation for being somewhat impenetrable and/or hopelessly impractical; this is a true shame, because he wrote for the masses. Unlike nearly all philosophers, he does not rely on jargon or polysyllables; he truly wanted to be understood, and all it takes is will. We must open our minds to him, and once we have, they will never be closed again.

Though greatly revered with many and diverse followers, Emerson's intention was not to be loved but to inspire; he wanted all to find individual genius. His work is thus the truest and best kind of self-help manual, and "Self" is its apotheosis. It has inspired millions in the more than century and a half of its existence, including me. I have read thousands and thousands of works, but this is one of the handful that truly changed my life. Emerson's greatness always shines through, but reading him at the right time can make an astonishing difference. He was more popular in life with the young than the old, and I can easily see why. I was lucky to read him at just the right time, and "Self" spoke to me more powerfully than almost anything else ever has. Without hyperbole, I can say that I would not be doing what I am today and would have abandoned my goals and visions without reading "Self" and Thoreau's "Life without Principle" - a somewhat similar essay highly influenced by Emerson - when I did. I was wracked with self-doubt and getting nothing but indifference, bafflement, or hostility from others; these works gave just the kick I needed, and I will never look back. "Self" has the potential to be life-changing as almost nothing else does, and I highly recommend it to all; you can hardly be unaffected and may never be the same. However, I especially recommend it to the young; its importance to them - and Emerson's generally - simply cannot be overemphasized.

Emerson is a signature American stylist, and "Self" is near his height. His writing is always memorable and often highly lyrical - about as close to poetry as prose can be. However, his essays were almost always painstakingly composed from lectures and journals, and the effect was sometimes choppy. An Emerson-loving professor of mine once joked that no one can find the topic sentence in an Emerson paragraph, and his transitions also frequently leave much to be desired. However, "Self" is near-seamless, a true masterpiece of style that flows smoothly and often waxes beautiful. This is all the more remarkable in that it was assembled even more than usual from disparate sources; entries that ended up here came as far as eight years apart, but the whole is admirably harmonious.

"Self" is a preeminent example of how Emerson delights in paradox. Anyone who reads him closely sees that he is as complex as he is simple. Thus, despite - or perhaps even because of - apparent straight-forwardness, few texts are more ripe for deconstruction. "Self" fans after all love a text that tells us not to love texts, are inspired by a man who tells us not to be inspired by men, and are convinced by a text and man both of which tell us not to be convinced by either. But this is only the beginning. "Self" works because it tells us exactly what we want to hear and, in striking contrast to innumerable self-help books, does so in an intellectually and even aesthetically respectable way. This is fine for me and (hopefully) you but could of course be taken to heart by Hitler as easily as Gandhi. The thoroughly optimistic, mild-mannered, and physically frail Emerson may not have foreseen his revolutionary text being put to nefarious use and probably would have been unable to believe in even the possibility. However, the danger, if we choose to call it so, is very real. "Self" could easily have had the same effect that Nietzsche had on Nazis, and that it has not been taken up by anarchists, radical terrorists, and the like is perhaps mere luck. One at least wonders how it avoided preceding The Catcher in the Rye as the work synonymous with unsavory people. That said, it is likely unfair to Emerson to say he did not anticipate this; he after all takes his views to the logical conclusion. He surely saw it, and it may have given pause, but he persevered because he was faithful to his intuition just as he urges us to be to ours. He truly believed in self-reliance and was ready to stand by it no matter what befell - nay, thought it his only choice. His optimism must have told him that the doctrine would not be abused, and he has been right - so far. Only time will tell if this continues to hold, but "Self" remains essential for all.

These essays are essential for anyone interested in Emerson, and "Self" is well worth buying alone, but the fact that they are in many collections makes it very hard to justify a standalone. ... Read more

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There is no question that Emerson has maintained his place as one of the seminal figures in American history and literature. In his time, he was the acknowledged leader of the Transcendentalist movement and his poetic legacy, education ideals, and religious concepts are integral to the formation of American intellectual life.In this volume, Joel Myerson, one of the leading experts on this period, has gathered together sparkling new essays that discuss Emerson as a product of his times. Individual chapters provide an extended biographical study of Emerson and his effect on American life, followed by studies of his concept of individualism, nature and natural science, religion, antislavery, and women's rights. ... Read more

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Ralph Waldo Emerson's famous essay on Self Reliance, one of the important features of the philosophy that came to be known as Transcendentalism. ... Read more

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Individualism - A Definitive Statement by Emerson
"Self-Reliance," first published in Essays (First Series) in 1841, is widely considered to be the definitive statement of Ralph Waldo Emerson's philosophy of individualism and the finest example of his prose. The essay is a fabric woven of many threads, from a journal entry written as early as 1832 to material first delivered in lectures between 1836 and 1839. ... Read more

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THE COMPLETE WORKS OF RALPH WALDO EMERSON

VOLUME 9 - Poetry.

American Scholar Digital Editions is proud and privileged to offer "The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Volume 9 (Poetry)". Emerson’s poetry is a fine grouping of enchanting verse that takes us along a soul-filling spiritual journey from the death of his beloved first son to odes written for a favorite riverbank. It also includes a number of masterful translations of classic Sufi poetry. Surprisingly, Emerson thought of himself as being more a poet than essayist or philosopher, thus Volume 9 of "The Complete Works" is perhaps the most personal crafting of his literary life.


Ted Dracos, Editor and Publisher
American Scholar Digital Editions

TABLE OF CONTENTS:


PREFACE; GOOD BYE EACH AND ALL, THE PROBLEM,TO RHEA, THE VISIT, URIEL, THE WORLD SOUL, THE SPHINX, ALPHONSO OF CASTILE, MITHRIDATES, TO J. W., DESTINY, GUY, HAMATREYA, EARTH SONG, THE RHODORA:, THE HUMBLE BEE, BERRYING, THE SNOW STORM, WOODNOTES, MONADNOC, FABLE, ODE INSCRIBED TO W. H. CHANNING, ASTRAEA, ETIENNE DE LA BOECE, COMPENSATION, FORBEARANCE, THE PARK, FORERUNNERS, SURSUM CORDA, ODE TO BEAUTY, GIVE ALL TO LOVE, TO ELLEN AT THE SOUTH, TO ELLEN, TO EVA, LINES, THE VIOLET, THE AMULET, THINE EYES STILL SHINED, EROS, HERMIONE, INITIAL, DAEMONIC AND CELESTIAL LOVE, THE APOLOGY, MERLIN, BACCHUS, MEROPS, THE HOUSE, SAADI, HOLIDAYS,XENOPHANES,THE DAY'S RATION,BLIGHT,MUSKETAQUID,DIRGE,THRENODY,CONCORD HYMN,MAY DAY,THE ADIRONDACS,NEMESIS,FATE,FREEDOM,ODE,BOSTON HYMN,VOLUNTARIES,LOVE AND THOUGHT,UNA,BOSTON,LETTERS,MERLIN'S SONG,THE TEST,SOLUTION,HYMN,NATURE,NATURE,THE ROMANY GIRL,DAYS,MY GARDEN,THE CHARTIST'S COMPLAINT,THE TITMOUSE,THE HARP,SEASHORE,SONG OF NATURE,TWO RIVERS,WALDEINSAMKEIT,TERMINUS,THE NUN'S ASPIRATION,APRIL,MAIDEN SPEECH OF THE AEOLIAN HARP,CUPIDO,THE PAST,THE LAST FAREWELL,E. B. E.,EXPERIENCE,POLITICS,HEROISM,CHARACTER,CULTURE,FRIENDSHIP,SPIRITUAL LAWS,BEAUTY,UNITY,WORSHIP,PRUDENCE,NATURE,THE INFORMING SPIR,CIRCLES,INTELLECT,GIFTS,PROMISE,CARITAS,POWER,WEALTH,ILLUSIONS,A. H.,HUSH!,ORATOR,ARTIST,POET,POET,BOTANIST,GARDENER,FORESTER,NORTHMAN,FROM ALCUIN,EXCELSIOR,S. H.,BORROWING,NATURE,FATE,HOROSCOPE,POWER,CLIMACTERIC,HERI, CRAS, HODIE,MEMORY,LOVE,SACRIFICE,PERICLES,CASELLA,SHAKSPEARE,HAFIZ,NATURE IN LEASTS,A?AKPYN NEMONTAI AIONA,SONNET OF MICHEL ANGELO,THE EXILE,FROM HAFIZ,EPITAPH,FRIENDSHIP,FROM OMAR KHAYYAM,FROM ALI BEN ABU TALEB,FROM IBN JEMIN,THE FLUTE,TO THE SHAH,TO THE SHAH,TO THE SHAH,SONG OF SEYD NIMETOLLAH OF KUHISTAN,APPENDIX,THE POET,CHORUS OF SPIRITS,POET,SPIRITS,POET,SPIRITS,FRAGMENTS ON THE POET AND THE POETIC GIFT,FRAGMENTS OF NATURE AND LIFE,NATURE,THE EARTH,THE HEAVENS,TRANSITION,THE GARDEN,BIRDS,WATER,NAHANT,SUNRISE,NIGHT IN JUNE,MAIA,LIFE,LOVE,REX,SUUM CUIQUE,THE BOHEMIAN HYMN,GRACE,INSIGHT,PAN,MONADNOC FROM AFAR,SEPTEMBER,EROS,OCTOBER,PETER'S FIELD,MUSIC,THE WALK,COSMOS,COSMOS,THE MIRACLE,THE WATERFALL,WALDEN,THE ENCHANTER,WRITTEN IN A VOLUME OF GOETHE,RICHES,PHILOSOPHER,INTELLECT,LIMITS,INSCRIPTION,THE EXILE,POEMS OF YOUTH AND EARLY MANHOOD,THE BELL,THOUGHT,PRAYER,TO DAY,FAME,THE SUMMONS,THE RIVER,GOOD HOPE,LINES TO ELLEN,SECURITY,A MOUNTAIN GRAVE,ALETTER,HYMN,SELF RELIANCE,WRITTEN IN NAPLES,WRITTEN AT ROME,WEBSTER,FROM THE PHI BETA KAPPA POEM.

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C&C Web Press brings you Ralph Waldo Emerson's classic essay "Self Reliance". Emerson is considered to be the father of the Transcendentalism literary movement and his work is still being read across the globe.

Excerpt:
"Man is timid and apologetic; he is no longer upright; he dares not say 'I think,' 'I am,' but quotes some saint or sage. He is ashamed before the blade of grass or the blowing rose. These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are; they exist with God today". ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Ralph Waldo Emerson believed that an appreciation of its vast natural resources would become the foundation of American culture. His assertion that human thought and actions proceed from nature, was a radical departure from the traditional European emphasis on domesticating nature to suit human needs. His philosophy is rich in common natural scenes of daily life, and expresses the inherent harmony between man and nature. This collection brings together 15 of Emerson's most significant essays, including "Nature", "The American Scholar", "Self-reliance" and "The Transcendentalist", as well as his assessments of Montaigne, Napoleon and Thoreau. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

RWEmerson--WOW!What else is there to say?
For anyone who enjoys beautiful prose with intellectually stimulating ideas and thoughts--this book is a "MUST-HAVE" for your library collection!These classic and quotable essays are enlighting and refreshing! If you (like I do) reject the Transcendentalist doctrine and theology, you may find yourself dismissing a couple of the essays as too tasking ideologically as they are at times on the fringe of transcendental ideology. Emerson's use of the English language, however, is a breath of fresh air in this era where the common vernacular is characterized by the grotesque abuses of ebonics, profanity, and laziness.It would be incredibly wonderful if all Americans would return to the most eloquent and beautiful use of our language as Emerson does.

A good place to start
Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays don't make for an easy read, but Emerson, luckily for us, decided not to accept the easy, run of the mill explanation of the life he found around him. It takes discipline and effort to tackle Emerson's work, and I have to say that it was well worth it for me. This small paperback collection has got to be one of the best places to start for those of you interested in having a go at one of THE Trascendentalist writers. This collecion brings together in a very inexpensive buy most of his greatest prose. With this, you get "Nature," "The American Scholar," "Man the Reformer," "History," "Self-Reliance," "The Over-Soul," "The Trascendentalist," "The Poet," "Experience," and more. If there is one place to start reading Emerson, than this might as well be among the top choices. Not only is it inexpensive, but it's small, light, and easy to take around. It also includes a great introduction (by Larzer Ziff) to Emerson the man and the world in which he wrote. I highly recommend it.

Emerson and his thought. Profound.
This book asks the reader to think quite a bit. When I initially read the collection, I was turned off by the monotony of the diction and the drab subject matter. However, I found that Emerson asks his reader to thinkabout his own thoughts and gain insight into the ideas he presents. Thiscollection is an impeccable work of Transcendentalism and can be related tomodern life as well. If you choose to read this book in the historicalsense, you are sure to gain information about the mindset of the time inwhich it was written. Emerson's view on Man, Society, Nature, and the worldin general is certain to provide you with hours upon hours of analyzation,introspection and plain old satisfaction. I recommend this collectionessays enthusiastically.

A book making us satisfied
a thrue book about a muscular people.A legend of a nation. The strive against destination.

Mighty thoughts that can shake your life!
This is one of the greatest books I have ever read. I know that many people don't like to read essays of any kind, but all I can say is that Ralph Waldo Emerson is simply different! Nobody has the gift to write essays and analyze life like him.

His words and ideas are so powerful and deep that we soon realize that they didn't come only from a brilliant mind, but also from a warm-hearted soul!

That's exactly what this book is about: Its sentences break through your brain and penetrate right into your soul! Emerson's optimistic view on human beings and life can only reinforce our courage in mankind and, especially, in ourselves!

What else can I say? His speech is direct, he defends all the good values, tell us to have confidence in ourselves and show us that passing through life with dignity is a matter of choice and courage, and that it simply doesn't change with time. It was like this a thousand years ago, it will probably follow the same rules a thousand years f! ! rom now.

This is the book I grab to comfort my spirit when I'm having difficult times... :) It is a guide that make us believe that anything is possible when we really want it! " Self-Reliance ", one of the essays inside this book, is a masterpiece in its own and I believe it should be studied in every high school, instead some of the crap we are usually obliged to read!

This book can shape your spirit and your mind. It is also possibly THE BEST self-help book you could ever own and, yet, a great literary work.

I would rate this book as ageless and I'm sure the future generations will be still interested in it, such as are we in those ancient Greek and Roman texts.

This is precious culture and food for your soul as a bargain! Do not waste more time. READ IT!!! ... Read more

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Marianne Parady distills the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson into seven lessons for living a rich, happy life in today's world. This guide to getting the most out of life is filled with practical advice on how to tap the potential for greatness within yourself, and includes easy-to-follow exercises. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

very good
This book is actualy realy good. I'm an Emerson fan myself and I bought this book for my mom after reading it myself. Just like in emerson's essays, self reliance is my favorite. life changing.

Excellent, easy read book I've bought and have given 6 away
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to improve their life. I have read many spiritual and insightful books, but this is the one book I can never seem to keep in my house. Everytime I get a fresh copy I end upgiving it away having to reorder it again. Over the past two years I havepurchased at least 6 copies ( which I have had to special order) and atthis moment I still don't have a copy in my house. It appears to be a gemin the ocean of books that has been highly overlooked.I have even haddifficulty finding it in the local libraries and have thought of donating acopy. I am pleased to learn that Amazon Books carries it and thank them forthe opportunity to write this review. I have recently written a small bookmyself and with Parady's permission I am planning to use her book in thesuggested reading section.I highly recommend Parady's work to anyone whoappreciates Ralph Waldo Emerson, yet has difficulty with understanding hiswritings. Parady has done an excellent job of putting the messages in aneasier format for today's readers. ... Read more