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About this quote

What does it mean?
True independence comes from relying on one's own mind and spirit to create a nation of self-reliant individuals.
In plain terms
Use your own hands and mind to build a free society.
What can you take from it?
Rely on your own mind and work.

Where it applies

  • leadership
  • civic duty
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • work independently
  • think for yourself
  • inspire others

Questions to consider

  • What is self-reliance?
  • How do you stand on your own?

Another view

Complete self-reliance ignores necessary community interdependence.

More from Ralph Waldo Emerson

  1. Do not yet see, that, if the single man plant himself indomitably on his instincts, and there abide, the huge world will come round to him.

    Permalink to quote #68
  2. And what fastens attention, in the intercourse of life, like any passage betraying affection between two parties? Perhaps we never saw them before, and never s…

    Permalink to quote #70
  3. What would we really know the meaning of? The meal in the firkin; the milk in the pan; the ballad in the street; the news of the boat; the glance of the eye; t…

    Permalink to quote #67

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