To the editor:

Emerson’s essay on self reliance encourages the reader to put forth into the world our uniqueness, free from conformity to society, which he calls “a joint-stock company, in which the members agree, for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater.”

“To believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men — that is genius.”

Buried in the essay are other definitions of self-reliance. There is an appeal to transcend our circumstances:

“The man must be so much, that he must make all circumstances indifferent.”

There is a reminder to stay in the present moment:

“There is simply the rose; its nature is satisfied, and it satisfies nature, in all moments alike. But man postpones or remembers; he does not live in the present, but with reverted eye laments the past, or, heedless of the riches that surround him, stands on tiptoe to foresee the future. He cannot be happy and strong until he too lives with nature in the present, above time.”

There is a challenge to consider the belief that by changing places, you can change yourself:

“Traveling is a fool’s paradise. My giant goes with me wherever I go.”

Reliance on property and fortune is a want of self-reliance:

“A political victory, the recovery of your sickness, or some other favorable event, raises your spirits, and you think good days are preparing for you. Do not believe it. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”

Montaigne, on the other hand, talks about forms of solitude and detachment:

“We should have wife, children, goods, and above all health, if we can, but we must not bind ourselves to them so strongly that our happiness depends on them. We must reserve a back shop all our own.”

Epictetus puts the concept of detachment brutally:

“If you kiss your child, say that you only kiss that which is human, and thus you will not be disturbed if he dies.”

Or Marcus Aurelius, rather gently:

“You have power over your mind — not on external events. Let this give you strength.”

In the light of these definitions, Socrates was one of the freest men in history, free from the tyranny, both of the external world, and that which is self-imposed, which he demonstrated in the manner he faced death:

“How many are the things I could do without.”

When considering the virtue of self reliance, one naturally thinks of financial independence, lack of dependence on others, and personal freedoms. However, the forms of self reliance that Emerson, Montaigne and the Stoics speak of are more challenging and equally worthwhile for us to pursue.

The Greek philosopher Stilpo lost his wife, children and property when his city burned. Seeing him unaffected in expression, someone asked him if he had not suffered a loss. He replied that thanks to God, he had lost nothing of his own.

Regards,

Nandan Pai

Lake Placid