On Self-Reliance Part 4

My thoughts: 

In Emerson's argument in "On Self-Reliance" he talks about how in society we wear these fake mask to fit in to the "state-quo", changing our original selves. I agree with this part of Emerson's argument because I can relate. Everyday when I leave for school or just leave my house in general I put on this mask both literally and metaphorically. Literally because every morning I have to put on makeup because my confidence to go out without makeup is very low. This also because since everyone knows that this is how I look/should look, if they were to see me without makeup they will either be surprised to see how I look without makeup or questioning my mental state, thinking that there is something wrong but really I just didn't want to put on makeup. Also metaphorically because everyone knows me to be very studious or happy/friendly person and I am but I'm also human so sometimes I'm sad, or strongly dislike someone or I just wanna dance and have fun but since I'm such a people-pleaser I don't show that side to society that much. So when Emerson says "be your own unique self regardless if others disagree" the original personality that I know and love agrees but it's sometimes easier said than done to change the stereo-type that's been there forever. 

Notes: 

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds":

-is it so bad to be understood? "To be great is to be misunderstood"; once people look into these misunderstood ideas it leads to them finally being understood and in some cases praised for clarifying something unknown or misunderstood  

"Men imagine that they communicate their virtue or vice only by overt actions, and do not see that future or vice emit a breath every moment" 

-Conformity shows/explains nothing about yourself 

"Honor is venerable to us because it is no ephemeris. It is always ancient virtue. We worship it to-day because it is not of to-day. We love it and pay it homage, because it is not a trap for our love and homage, but is self-dependent, self-derived, and therefore of an old immaculate pedigree, even if shown in a young person".

-Honor is earned 

What ripple effect do we have? 

ephemeral: change over time