Charity's Reading Log

Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson - One of the classic tomes of western individualism, this essay struck several chords with me while I was reading. Those of you who know me know that I am a "quote girl", so I'm just going to share a few from Emerson's essay that might inspire you, too:

• Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.
• Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.
• Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.
• What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think.
• Insist on yourself; never imitate.
• The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet.
• Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.
• Nothing at last is sacred but the integrity of your own mind.