The transcendentalism movement was a religious and philosophical movement protesting the general state of spirituality, the state of intellectualism, and the doctrine of the Unitarian church. The core beliefs included inherent goodness of both people and nature. Transcendentalists' believe that society and its institutions corrupt the purity of an individual.
"Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world."~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
In this quote Emerson is saying that being true to yourself is the only important thing in life. If you face truth on its own terms you will discover genuineness and courage within yourself. He is saying that going with the tide and the flow is wrong because you are not your own person then. He is saying to be your own person because no one can do that for you.
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| This quote inspires people to go their own ways. |
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Here, Emerson is saying to be your own person and to go your own way. He is saying that everyone is unique and many people in society go with the flow and follow others. He is saying to go your own way and show the uniqueness inside. This is saying to go against the norm and stand out in crowds.
| This quote by Gary Low tells people to take control of their own life because it's theirs. |
"Let your life be a counter-friction to stop the machine."~ Henry David Thoreau
In this quote Thoreau is comparing a machine to society, saying to be yourself and stop the judging nature of society. Society comes together, like a machine, to judge and discriminate others. Society is generally a fixed "machine" doing one job, that isn't particularly helpful in this case. By being yourself you can stop society's unhelpful "job" of judgmental and discriminating views and comments.
"If a plant cannot live according to nature, it dies; and so a man."~ Henry David Thoreau
Here, Thoreau is comparing a plant with a man, saying that if a plant or man cannot live naturally than it is basically dead. If a living thing cannot live as it should, without restrictions than it is lifeless and meaningless. He is saying that being unique and your own individual is nature and natural. If you are not being yourself, and natural than you are inanimate and insignificant.
