Top 10 Quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance"

This quote follows shortly after the "foolish consistency" quote. Even famous people in history were misunderstood. As Emerson quotes, "Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh."

This is a reminder that society has high expectations for what you do. When people blame you for not aligning with their standards, it's usually their problem, not yours.

In short, have a flexible mind. Do not repeat the same mistakes. When you realize you are in the wrong, don't stick to that error knowing the outcome will always be the same.

Many people fantasize about visiting places with unrealistic expectations, only to be disappointed when reality doesn't meet those expectations. Consider this a word of advice: "no country is perfect."

Full quote: "Our first journeys discover to us the indifference of places. At home I dream that at Naples, at Rome, I can be intoxicated with beauty, and lose my sadness. I pack my trunk, embrace my friends, embark on the sea, and at last wake up in Naples, and there beside me is the stern fact, the sad self, unrelenting, identical, that I fled from. I seek the Vatican, and the palaces. I affect to be intoxicated with sights and suggestions, but I am not intoxicated. My giant goes with me wherever I go."

This is the first step to maintaining confidence and building yourself up. How will you stand your ground? Trust yourself, but expect to fail occasionally. Rather than losing faith, use failure as an opportunity to avoid repeating the same mistake.

This simple saying is hard to follow for some. High expectations for goals can lead to disappointment whenever we fail to reach them. A solution is to divide goals into smaller, realistically achievable ones.

This saying means you cannot change the past, and attempting to return to a past you see as "good" is escapism that rarely leaves you satisfied.

This also applies to the future, as many people worry about what the future holds instead of being in the moment. You have control over what you do in the present, but not in the past or future. Live in accordance with nature and deal with the present. That way, your life will be less stressful.

Some people feel obligated to act out of concern for others, whether for self-esteem or approval, even when unnecessary. This is an unhealthy perspective, as people can judge you regardless of what you do.

Another way to interpret this is to not put too much concern into how people may think about you or your work. You cannot control people's thoughts, so why worry?

I totally agree with this. Humans should not fret, even when pressured by their surroundings. Stay calm and true to yourself.

Simple and straightforward. Our opinions, views, beliefs, and even ourselves are influenced by many people, which results in some adopting others' traits or views. Tread your own path, not others'.