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Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Ralph Waldo Emerson
1. According to the first sentence what does every person realize at some moment in his/her education?
According to the first sentence at some moment of ones education we realize that one must utilize its own skills and not copy anybody if one wants to be successful. You have to focus about yourself and stop worrying about someone else’s achievements or merits.
2. What is the opposite of "self-reliance," according to Emerson?
The opposite of “self reliance” according to Emerson is liberalism.
3. What does Emerson see as the most sacred aspect of a person?
Emerson sees the integrity of the individual mind to be the most sacred aspect of a person.
4. What does Emerson think of people who call for consistency in thought and action and who fear being misunderstood?
Emerson believes that people who call for consistency are cowards and that being misunderstood means you are great.

5. Emerson makes many of his points through a series of figures of speech - comparisons between two things that are basically unlike. In "Self-Reliance" what does he compare with the ordinary things and events listed below. Be sure to respond in complete sentence format.
Example: He compares cannon balls to words: "Else if you would be a man, speak what you think today in words as hard as cannon balls, and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said today."
A. planting corn
Emerson compares planting corn to work ethic. “no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till.”
B. an iron string
He compares an iron string to self trust and confidence. “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
C. clay
Emerson compares clay to teamwork. “But redeemers and benefactors, pious aspirants to be noble clay under the Almighty effort, let us advance and advance on Chaos and the

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