Self-Reliance

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"Self-reliance" redirects here. For the related concept of economic self-reliance, see Self-sufficiency.

Self-Reliance is an essay written by American Transcendentalist philosopher and essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson. It was first published in his 1841 collection, Essays: First Series. It contains the most solid statement of one of Emerson's repeating themes, the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false consistency, and follow his or her own instincts and ideas. Self-reliance is expounded to be self-exploration and the attainment of self-knowledge, which will point the individual soul to truth. It is the role of the individual to discover their own classification of mind in order to elucidate their own mental and spiritual powers. Extolling the virtues of creativity and courage, Emerson - the consummate iconoclast - repeatedly warned against the adoption of popular beliefs and ethics.