My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There are many collections of Emerson's essays in publication - some more complete or more recently compiled - but the one under review here was originally published by the Charles E. Merrill Co. in 1907. It contains eleven essays, including selections from both Emerson's First and Second Series. There are around 700 end-notes that provide points of clarification. The front matter includes a brief biographical statement on Emerson, a discussion of critical opinion of his work, and a list of his writings.
Rather than discuss the essays as a whole, I'll describe each in turn.
1.) The American Scholar: a major theme in this essay is avoiding pretentiousness and not neglecting to see the virtue in the simple and unrefined.
2.) Compensation: Emerson had an interesting philosophy on this subject, believing that everything that belongs to one or which one ought to have will come to one. There is a Taoist feel to this essay, e.g. "For everything you have missed, you have gained something else: and for everything you gain, you lose something."
3.) Self-Reliance: This is my favorite essay, hands down. It's full of pithy, powerful, and quotable statements. e.g. "Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string." "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." "If I know your sect, I anticipate your argument." Even where it's not so concise and quotable, it delivers important ideas.
4.) Friendship: There is a quote that I think is quite illustrative of Emerson's thoughts on the subject: "I do then with my friends as I do with my books. I would have them where I can find them, but I seldom use them."
5.) Heroism: Consistent with the ideas in "Self-Reliance," Emerson proposes that the route to heroism is in trusting oneself and having inner confidence, rather than in trying to satisfy the dictates of society.
6.) Manners: Emerson was a fan of a polite and genteel nature. This may seem at odds with his general inclination to avoid pretension or elitism, but if one treats all people with polite respect, then these ideals do not conflict.
7.) Gifts: Related to the earlier essay on compensation, this piece decries getting caught up in giving opulent gifts and thinking it a grand virtue, while it doesn't criticize gift giving all together.
8.) Nature: This is the subject that one likely most associates with Emerson and his friend and protégé, Thoreau. As one expects, Emerson suggests one spend more time in nature. Something interesting I found in this piece was his rebuke of pseudo-science. Not that it should be unexpected, but one must consider that the line between science and the occult wasn't as fully formed as it is today and Emerson was a mystic. But consider this: "Astronomy to the selfish becomes astrology; psychology, mesmerism (with intent to show where our spoons are gone); and anatomy and physiology become phrenology and palmistry."
9.) Shakespeare; or, The Poet: While honoring Shakespeare, Emerson points out that our recognition of brilliance isn't recognition of originality. e.g. "The greatest genius is the most indebted man."
10.) Prudence: Emerson insists that sagacity in managing oneself and one's affairs is crucial.
11.) Circles: This essay covers a lot of ground in dealing with topics that are cyclical - though they may seem progressive. In parts it reminds me of the portion of self-reliance that says "society is a wave," and which goes on to explain how it's not a matter of society steadily advancing because it recedes on one side as quickly as it gains on the other. This can be seen in a quote such as: "New arts destroy the old." I think a quote that drives to the heart of not falling into the illusion of believing fashions of the moment are an invariable truth can be seen here: "No facts are to me sacred; none are profane; I simply experiment, an endless seeker with not past at my back."
I highly recommend this collection of essays. Some have maintained greater relevance than others, but all offer some interesting food for thought.
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