Uses of Great Men by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Matthews, Brander, Ed. 1914

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Matthews,Brander,ed.(18521929).TheOxfordBookofAmericanEssays.1914.
IX.UsesofGreatMen
RalphWaldoEmerson(18031882)
ITisnaturaltobelieveingreatmen.Ifthecompanionsofourchildhoodshouldturnout
tobeheroes,andtheirconditionregal,itwouldnotsurpriseus.Allmythologyopens
withdemigods,andthecircumstanceishighandpoeticthatis,theirgeniusis
paramount.InthelegendsoftheGautama,thefirstmenatetheearth,andfoundit
deliciouslysweet.
Natureseemstoexistfortheexcellent.Theworldisupheldbytheveracityofgood
men:theymaketheearthwholesome.Theywholivedwiththemfoundlifegladand
nutritious.Lifeissweetandtolerableonlyinourbeliefinsuchsocietyandactuallyor
ideallywemanagetolivewithsuperiors.Wecallourchildrenandourlandsbytheir
names.Theirnamesarewroughtintotheverbsoflanguage,theirworksandeffigiesare
inourhouses,andeverycircumstanceofthedayrecallsananecdoteofthem.
Thesearchafterthegreatisthedreamofyouthandthemostseriousoccupationof
manhood.Wetravelintoforeignpartstofindhisworksifpossible,togetaglimpseof
him.Butweareputoffwithfortuneinstead.YousaytheEnglisharepracticalthe
GermansarehospitableinValenciatheclimateisdeliciousandinthehillsofthe
Sacramentothereisgoldforthegathering.Yes,butIdonottraveltofindcomfortable,
rich,andhospitablepeople,orclearsky,oringotsthatcosttoomuch.Butiftherewere
anymagnetthatwouldpointtothecountriesandhouseswherearethepersonswhoare
intrinsicallyrichandpowerful,Iwouldsellall,andbuyit,andputmyselfontheroadto
day.
Theracegoeswithusontheircredit.Theknowledgethatinthecityisamanwho
inventedtherailroadraisesthecreditofallthecitizens.Butenormouspopulations,if
theybebeggars,aredisgusting,likemovingcheese,likehillsofantsoroffleasthe
more,theworse.
Ourreligionistheloveandcherishingofthesepatrons.Thegodsoffablearethe
shiningmomentsofgreatmen.Werunallourvesselsintoonemould.Ourcolossal
theologiesofJudaism,Christism,Buddhism,Mahometism,arethenecessaryand
structuralactionofthehumanmind.Thestudentofhistoryislikeamangoingintoa
warehousetobuyclothsorcarpets.Hefancieshehasanewarticle.Ifhegotothe
factory,heshallfindthathisnewstuffstillrepeatsthescrollsandrosetteswhichare
foundontheinteriorwallsofthepyramidsofThebes.Ourtheismisthepurificationof
thehumanmind.Mancanpaint,ormake,orthinknothingbutman.Hebelievesthatthe
greatmaterialelementshadtheiroriginfromhisthought.Andourphilosophyfindsone
essencecollectedordistributed.
Ifnowweproceedtoinquireintothekindsofservicewederivefromothers,letusbe
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warnedofthedangerofmodernstudies,andbeginlowenough.Wemustnotcontend
againstlove,ordenythesubstantialexistenceofotherpeople.Iknownotwhatwould
happentous.Wehavesocialstrengths.Ouraffectiontowardsotherscreatesasortof
vantageorpurchasewhichnothingwillsupply.IcandothatbyanotherwhichIcannot
doalone.IcansaytoyouwhatIcannotfirstsaytomyself.Othermenarelensesthrough
whichwereadourownminds.Eachmanseeksthoseofdifferentqualityfromhisown,
andsuchasaregoodoftheirkindthatis,heseeksothermen,andtheotherest.The
strongerthenature,themoreitisreactive.Letushavethequalitypure.Alittlegenius
letusleavealone.Amaindifferencebetwixtmenis,whethertheyattendtheirownaffair
ornot.Manisthatnobleendogenousplantwhichgrows,likethepalm,fromwithin
outward.Hisownaffair,thoughimpossibletoothers,hecanopenwithcelerityandin
sport.Itiseasytosugartobesweet,andtonitretobesalt.Wetakeagreatdealofpains
towaylayandentrapthatwhichofitselfwillfallintoourhands.Icounthimagreatman
whoinhabitsahighersphereofthought,intowhichothermenrisewithlaborand
difficultyhehasbuttoopenhiseyestoseethingsinatruelight,andinlargerelations
whilsttheymustmakepainfulcorrections,andkeepavigilanteyeonmanysourcesof
error.Hisservicetousisoflikesort.Itcostsabeautifulpersonnoexertiontopainther
imageonoureyesyethowsplendidisthatbenefit!Itcostsnomoreforawisesoulto
conveyhisqualitytoothermen.Andeveryonecandohisbestthingeasiest.Peude
moyens,beaucoupdefft.Heisgreatwhoiswhatheisfromnature,andwhonever
remindsusofothers.
Buthemustberelatedtous,andourlifereceivefromhimsomepromiseof
explanation.IcannottellwhatIwouldknowbutIhaveobservedtherearepersonswho,
intheircharacterandactions,answerquestionswhichIhavenotskilltoput.Oneman
answerssomequestionswhichnoneofhiscontemporariesput,andisisolated.Thepast
andpassingreligionsandphilosophiesanswersomeotherquestion.Certainmenaffect
usasrichpossibilities,buthelplesstothemselvesandtotheirtimes,thesport,perhaps,
ofsomeinstinctthatrulesintheair,theydonotspeaktoourwant.Butthegreatare
nearweknowthematsight.Theysatisfyexpectation,andfallintoplace.Whatisgood
iseffective,generativemakesforitselfroom,food,andallies.Asoundappleproduces
seedahybriddoesnot.Isamaninhisplace,heisconstructive,fertile,magnetic,
inundatingarmieswithhispurpose,whichisthusexecuted.Therivermakesitsown
shores,andeachlegitimateideamakesitsownchannelsandwelcomeharvestsfor
food,institutionsforexpression,weaponstofightwith,anddisciplestoexplainit.The
trueartisthastheplanetforhispedestaltheadventurer,afteryearsofstrife,hasnothing
broaderthanhisownshoes.
Ourcommondiscourserespectstwokindsofuseorservicefromsuperiormen.Direct
givingisagreeabletotheearlybeliefofmendirectgivingofmaterialormetaphysical
aid,asofhealth,eternalyouth,finesenses,artsofhealing,magicalpower,and
prophecy.Theboybelievesthereisateacherwhocansellhimwisdom.Churches
believeinimputedmerit.But,instrictness,wearenotmuchcognizantofdirectserving.
Manisendogenous,andeducationishisunfolding.Theaidwehavefromothersis
mechanical,comparedwiththediscoveriesofnatureinus.Whatisthuslearnedis
delightfulinthedoing,andtheeffectremains.Rightethicsarecentral,andgofromthe
souloutward.Giftiscontrarytothelawoftheuniverse.Servingothersisservingus.I
mustabsolvemetomyself.Mindthyaffair,saysthespiritcoxcomb,wouldyou
meddlewiththeskies,orwithotherpeople?Indirectserviceisleft.Menhavea
pictorialorrepresentativequality,andserveusintheintellect.BehmenandSwedenborg
sawthatthingswererepresentative.Menarealsorepresentativefirst,ofthings,and
secondly,ofideas.
Asplantsconvertthemineralsintofoodforanimals,soeachmanconvertssomeraw
materialinnaturetohumanuse.Theinventorsoffire,electricity,magnetism,iron,lead,
glass,linen,silk,cottonthemakersoftoolstheinventorofdecimalnotationthe
geometertheengineerthemusician,severallymakeaneasywayforallthrough
unknownandimpossibleconfusions.Eachmanis,bysecretliking,connectedwithsome
districtofnature,whoseagentandinterpreterheis,asLinnus,ofplantsHuber,of
beesFries,oflichensVanMons,ofpearsDalton,ofatomicformsEuclid,oflines
Newton,offluxions.
Amanisacenterfornature,runningoutthreadsofrelationthrougheverything,fluid
andsolid,materialandelemental.Theearthrollseveryclodandstonecomestothe
meridiansoeveryorgan,function,acid,crystal,grainofdust,hasitsrelationtothe
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brain.Itwaitslong,butitsturncomes.Eachplanthasitsparasite,andeachcreatedthing
itsloverandpoet.Justicehasalreadybeendonetosteam,toiron,towood,tocoal,to
loadstone,toiodine,tocornandcottonbuthowfewmaterialsareyetusedbyourarts!
Themassofcreaturesandofqualitiesarestillhidandexpectant.Itwouldseemasif
eachwaited,liketheenchantedprincessinfairytales,foradestinedhumandeliverer.
Eachmustbedisenchanted,andwalkforthtothedayinhumanshape.Inthehistoryof
discovery,theripeandlatenttruthseemstohavefashionedabrainforitself.Amagnet
mustbemademan,insomeGilbert,orSwedenborg,orOersted,beforethegeneralmind
cancometoentertainitspowers.
Ifwelimitourselvestothefirstadvantages:asobergraceadherestothemineraland
botanickingdoms,whichinthehighestmomentscomesupasthecharmofnature,the
glitterofthespar,thesurenessofaffinity,theveracityofangles.Lightanddarkness,
heatandcold,hungerandfood,sweetandsour,solid,liquid,andgas,circleusroundin
awreathofpleasures,and,bytheiragreeablequarrel,beguilethedayoflife.Theeye
repeatseverydaythefirsteulogyonthingsHesawthattheyweregood.
Weknowwheretofindthemandtheseperformersarerelishedallthemoreaftera
littleexperienceofthepretendingraces.Weareentitled,also,tohigheradvantages.
Somethingiswantingtoscience,untilithasbeenhumanized.Thetableoflogarithmsis
onething,anditsvitalplay,inbotany,music,optics,andarchitecture,another.Thereare
advancementstonumbers,anatomy,architecture,astronomy,littlesuspectedatfirst,
when,byunionwithintellectandwill,theyascendintothelife,andreappearin
conversation,character,andpolitics.
Butthiscomeslater.Wespeaknowonlyofouracquaintancewiththemintheirown
sphere,andthewayinwhichtheyseemtofascinateanddrawtothemsomegeniuswho
occupieshimselfwithonethingallhislifelong.Thepossibilityofinterpretationliesin
theidentityoftheobserverwiththeobserved.Eachmaterialthinghasitscelestialside
hasitstranslation,throughhumanity,intothespiritualandnecessarysphere,whereit
playsapartasindestructibleasanyother.Andtothese,theirends,allthingscontinually
ascend.Thegasesgathertothesolidfirmamentthechemiclumparrivesattheplant,
andgrowsarrivesatthequadruped,andwalksarrivesattheman,andthinks.Butalso
theconstituencydeterminesthevoteoftherepresentative.Heisnotonlyrepresentative,
butparticipant.Likecanonlybeknownbylike.Thereasonwhyheknowsaboutthem
is,thatheisofthemhehasjustcomeoutofnature,orfrombeingapartofthatthing.
Animatedchlorineknowsofchlorine,andincarnatezinc,ofzinc.Theirqualitymakes
hiscareerandhecanvariouslypublishtheirvirtues,becausetheycomposehim.Man,
madeofthedustoftheworld,doesnotforgethisoriginandallthatisyetinanimatewill
onedayspeakandreason.Unpublishednaturewillhaveitswholesecrettold.Shallwe
saythatquartzmountainswillpulverizeintoinnumerableWerners,VonBuchs,and
BeaumontsandthelaboratoryoftheatmosphereholdsinsolutionIknownotwhat
BerzeliusesandDavys?
Thuswesitbythefire,andtakeholdonthepolesoftheearth.Thisquasi
omnipresencesuppliestheimbecilityofourcondition.Inoneofthosecelestialdays,
whenheavenandearthmeetandadorneachother,itseemsapovertythatwecanonly
spenditonce:wewishforathousandheads,athousandbodies,thatwemightcelebrate
itsimmensebeautyinmanywaysandplaces.Isthisfancy?Well,ingoodfaith,weare
multipliedbyourproxies.Howeasilyweadopttheirlabors.Everyshipthatcomesto
AmericagotitschartfromColumbus.EverynovelisadebtortoHomer.Everycarpenter
whoshaveswithaforeplaneborrowsthegeniusofaforgotteninventor.Lifeisgirtall
roundwithazodiacofsciences,thecontributionsofmenwhohaveperishedtoaddtheir
pointoflighttooursky.Engineer,broker,jurist,physician,moralist,theologian,and
everyman,inasmuchashehasanyscience,isadefinerandmapmakerofthelatitudes
andlongitudesofourcondition.Theseroadmakersoneveryhandenrichus.Wemust
extendtheareaoflife,andmultiplyourrelations.Weareasmuchgainersbyfindinga
newpropertyintheoldearthasbyacquiringanewplanet.
Wearetoopassiveinthereceptionofthesematerialorsemimaterialaids.Wemust
notbesacksandstomachs.Toascendonestepwearebetterservedthroughour
sympathy.Activityiscontagious.Lookingwhereotherslook,andconversingwiththe
samethings,wecatchthecharmwhichluredthem.Napoleonsaid,Youmustnotfight
toooftenwithoneenemy,oryouwillteachhimallyourartofwar.Talkmuchwith
anymanofvigorousmind,andweacquireveryfastthehabitoflookingatthingsinthe
samelight,and,oneachoccurrence,weanticipatehisthought.
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Menarehelpfulthroughtheintellectandtheaffections.Otherhelp,Ifindafalse
appearance.Ifyouaffecttogivemebreadandfire,IperceivethatIpayforitthefull
price,andatlastitleavesmeasitfoundme,neitherbetternorworsebutallmentaland
moralforceisapositivegood.Itgoesoutfromyou,whetheryouwillornot,andprofits
mewhomyouneverthoughtof.Icannotevenhearofpersonalvigorofanykind,great
powerofperformance,withoutfreshresolution.Weareemulousofallthatmancando.
CecilssayingofSirWalterRaleigh,Iknowthathecantoilterribly,isanelectric
touch.SoareClarendonsportraitsofHampden:whowasofanindustryand
vigilancenottobetiredoutorweariedbythemostlaborious,andofpartsnottobe
imposedonbythemostsubtleandsharp,andofapersonalcourageequaltohisbest
parts,ofFalkland:whowassosevereanadoreroftruththathecouldaseasilyhave
givenhimselfleavetostealastodissemble.WecannotreadPlutarchwithoutatingling
ofthebloodandIacceptthesayingoftheChineseMencius:Asageistheinstructorof
ahundredages.WhenthemannersofLooareheardof,thestupidbecomeintelligent,
andthewavering,determined.
Thisisthemoralofbiographyyetitishardfordepartedmentotouchthequicklike
ourowncompanions,whosenamesmaynotlastaslong.WhatishewhomIneverthink
of?whilstineverysolitudearethosewhosuccorourgenius,andstimulateusin
wonderfulmanners.Thereisapowerinlovetodivineanothersdestinybetterthanthat
othercan,and,byheroicencouragements,holdhimtohistask.Whathasfriendshipso
signalasitssublimeattractiontowhatevervirtueisinus?Wewillnevermorethink
cheaplyofourselves,oroflife.Wearepiquedtosomepurpose,andtheindustryofthe
diggersontherailroadwillnotagainshameus.
Underthishead,too,fallsthathomage,verypure,asIthink,whichallrankspaytothe
herooftheday,fromCoriolanusandGracchus,downtoPitt,Lafayette,Wellington,
Webster,Lamartine.Heartheshoutsinthestreet!Thepeoplecannotseehimenough.
Theydelightinaman.Hereisaheadandatrunk!Whatafront!Whateyes!Atlantean
shoulders,andthewholecarriageheroic,withequalinwardforcetoguidethegreat
machine!Thispleasureoffullexpressiontothatwhich,intheirprivateexperience,is
usuallycrampedandobstructed,runs,also,muchhigher,andisthesecretofthereaders
joyinliterarygenius.Nothingiskeptback.Thereisfireenoughtofusethemountainof
ore.Shakspearesprincipalmeritmaybeconveyedinsayingthathe,ofallmen,best
understandstheEnglishlanguage,andcansaywhathewill.Yettheseunchoked
channelsandfloodgatesofexpressionareonlyhealthorfortunateconstitution.
Shakspearesnamesuggestsotherandpurelyintellectualbenefits.
16
Senatesandsovereignshavenocompliment,withtheirmedals,swords,andarmorial
coats,liketheaddressingtoahumanbeingthoughtsoutofacertainheight,and
presupposinghisintelligence.Thishonor,whichispossibleinpersonalintercourse
scarcelytwiceinalifetime,geniusperpetuallypayscontented,ifnowandthen,ina
century,theprofferisaccepted.Theindicatorsofthevaluesofmatteraredegradedtoa
sortofcooksandconfectioners,ontheappearanceoftheindicatorsofideas.Geniusis
thenaturalistorgeographerofthesupersensibleregions,anddrawstheirmapand,by
acquaintinguswithnewfieldsofactivity,coolsouraffectionfortheold.Theseareat
onceacceptedasthereality,ofwhichtheworldwehaveconversedwithistheshow.
Wegotothegymnasiumandtheswimmingschooltoseethepowerandbeautyofthe
bodythereisthelikepleasure,andhigherbenefit,fromwitnessingintellectualfeatsof
allkindsasfeatsofmemory,ofmathematicalcombination,greatpowerofabstraction,
thetransmutingsoftheimagination,evenversatilityandconcentration,astheseacts
exposetheinvisibleorgansandmembersofthemind,whichrespond,memberfor
member,tothepartsofthebody.Forwethusenteranewgymnasium,andlearnto
choosemenbytheirtruestmarks,taught,withPlato,tochoosethosewhocan,without
aidfromtheeyesoranyothersense,proceedtotruthandtobeing.Foremostamong
theseactivitiesarethesummersaults,spells,andresurrectionswroughtbythe
imagination.Whenthiswakes,amanseemstomultiplytentimesorathousandtimes
hisforce.Itopensthedelicioussenseofindeterminatesize,andinspiresanaudacious
mentalhabit.Weareaselasticasthegasofgunpowder,andasentenceinabookora
worddroppedinconversationsetsfreeourfancy,andinstantlyourheadsarebathed
withgalaxies,andourfeettreadthefloorofthepit.Andthisbenefitisreal,becausewe
areentitledtotheseenlargements,and,oncehavingpassedthebounds,shallneveragain
bequitethemiserablepedantswewere.
Thehighfunctionsoftheintellectaresoalliedthatsomeimaginativepowerusually
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appearsinalleminentminds,eveninarithmeticiansofthefirstclass,butespeciallyin
meditativemenofanintuitivehabitofthought.Thisclassserveus,sothattheyhavethe
perceptionofidentityandtheperceptionofreaction.TheeyesofPlato,Shakspeare,
Swedenborg,Goethe,nevershutoneitheroftheselaws.Theperceptionoftheselawsis
akindofmeterofthemind.Littlemindsarelittle,throughfailuretoseethem.
Eventhesefeastshavetheirsurfeit.Ourdelightinreasondegeneratesintoidolatryof
theherald.Especiallywhenamindofpowerfulmethodhasinstructedmen,wefindthe
examplesofoppression.ThedominionofAristotle,thePtolemaicastronomy,thecredit
ofLuther,ofBacon,ofLocke,inreligion,thehistoryofhierarchies,ofsaints,andthe
sectswhichhavetakenthenameofeachfounder,areinpoint.Alas!everymanissuch
avictim.Theimbecilityofmenisalwaysinvitingtheimpudenceofpower.Itisthe
delightofvulgartalenttodazzleandtoblindthebeholder.Buttruegeniusseeksto
defendusfromitself.Truegeniuswillnotimpoverish,butwillliberate,andaddnew
senses.Ifawisemanshouldappearinourvillage,hewouldcreate,inthosewho
conversedwithhim,anewconsciousnessofwealth,byopeningtheireyestounobserved
advantageshewouldestablishasenseofimmovableequality,calmuswithassurances
thatwecouldnotbecheatedaseveryonewoulddiscernthechecksandguarantiesof
condition.Therichwouldseetheirmistakesandpoverty,thepoortheirescapesand
theirresources.
Butnaturebringsallthisaboutinduetime.Rotationisherremedy.Thesoulis
impatientofmasters,andeagerforchange.Housekeeperssayofadomesticwhohas
beenvaluable,Shehadlivedwithmelongenough.Wearetendencies,orrather
symptoms,andnoneofuscomplete.Wetouchandgo,andsipthefoamofmanylives.
Rotationisthelawofnature.Whennatureremovesagreatman,peopleexplorethe
horizonforasuccessorbutnonecomes,andnonewill.Hisclassisextinguishedwith
him.Insomeotherandquitedifferentfield,thenextmanwillappearnotJefferson,not
Franklin,butnowagreatsalesmanthanaroadcontractorthenastudentoffishesthen
abuffalohuntingexplorer,orasemisavageWesterngeneral.Thuswemakeastand
againstourroughermastersbutagainstthebestthereisafinerremedy.Thepower
whichtheycommunicateisnottheirs.Whenweareexaltedbyideas,wedonotowethis
toPlato,buttotheidea,towhich,also,Platowasdebtor.
Imustnotforgetthatwehaveaspecialdebttoasingleclass.Lifeisascaleofdegrees.
Betweenrankandrankofourgreatmenarewideintervals.Mankindhave,inallages,
attachedthemselvestoafewpersons,who,eitherbythequalityofthatideathey
embodied,orbythelargenessoftheirreception,wereentitledtothepositionofleaders
andlawgivers.Theseteachusthequalitiesofprimarynatureadmitustothe
constitutionofthings.Weswim,daybyday,onariverofdelusions,andareeffectually
amusedwithhousesandtownsintheair,ofwhichthemenaboutusaredupes.Butlife
isasincerity.Inlucidintervalswesay,Lettherebeanentranceopenedformeinto
realtiesIhavewornthefoolscaptoolong.Wewillknowthemeaningofour
economiesandpolitics.Giveusthecipher,and,ifpersonsandthingsarescoresofa
celestialmusic,letusreadoffthestrains.Wehavebeencheatedofourreasonyetthere
havebeensanemenwhoenjoyedarichandrelatedexistence.Whattheyknowthey
knowforus.Witheachnewmind,anewsecretofnaturetranspiresnorcantheBiblebe
closeduntilthelastgreatmanisborn.Thesemencorrectthedeliriumoftheanimal
spirits,makeusconsiderate,andengageustonewaimsandpowers.Thevenerationof
mankindselectstheseforthehighestplace.Witnessthemultitudeofstatues,pictures,
andmemorialswhichrecalltheirgeniusineverycity,village,house,andship:
Evertheirphantomsarisebeforeus,
Ourloftierbrothers,butoneinblood
Atbedandtabletheylorditoerus,
Withlooksofbeauty,andwordsofgood.
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Howtoillustratethedistinctivebenefitofideas,theservicerenderedbythosewho
introducemoraltruthsintothegeneralmind?Iamplagued,inallmyliving,witha
perpetualtariffofprices.IfIworkinmygardenandpruneanappletree,Iamwell
enoughentertained,andcouldcontinueindefinitelyinthelikeoccupation.Butitcomes
tomindthatadayisgone,andIhavegotthispreciousnothingdone.IgotoBostonor
NewYork,andrunupanddownonmyaffairs:theyaresped,butsoistheday.Iam
vexedbytherecollectionofthispriceIhavepaidforatriflingadvantage.Iremember
thepeaudne,onwhichwhososatshouldhavehisdesire,butapieceoftheskinwas
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goneforeverywish.Igotoaconventionofphilanthropists.DowhatIcan,Icannot
keepmyeyesofftheclock.Butifthereshouldappearinthecompanysomegentlesoul
whoknowslittleofpersonsorparties,ofCarolinaorCuba,butwhoannouncesalaw
thatdisposestheseparticulars,andsocertifiesmeoftheequitywhichcheckmatesevery
falseplayer,bankruptseveryselfseeker,andapprisesmeofmyindependenceonany
conditionsofcountry,ortime,orhumanbody,thatmanliberatesmeIforgettheclock.
Ipassoutofthesorerelationtopersons.Iamhealedofmyhurts.Iammadeimmortal
byapprehendingmypossessionofincorruptiblegoods.Hereisgreatcompetitionofrich
andpoor.Weliveinamarket,whereisonlysomuchwheat,orwool,orlandandifI
havesomuchmore,everyothermusthavesomuchless.Iseemtohavenogood,
withoutbreachofgoodmanners.Nobodyisgladinthegladnessofanother,andour
systemisoneofwar,ofaninjurioussuperiority.EverychildoftheSaxonraceis
educatedtowishtobefirst.Itisoursystemandamancomestomeasurehisgreatness
bytheregrets,envies,andhatredsofhiscompetitors.Butinthesenewfieldsthereis
room:herearenoselfesteems,noexclusions.
Iadmiregreatmenofallclasses,thosewhostandforfactsandforthoughtsIlike
roughandsmooth,scourgesofGodanddarlingsofthehumanrace.Ilikethefirst
CsarandCharlesV,ofSpainandCharlesXII,ofSwedenRichardPlantagenetand
Bonaparte,inFrance.Iapplaudasufficientman,anofficerequaltohisofficecaptains,
ministers,senators.Ilikeamasterstandingfirmonlegsofiron,wellborn,rich,
handsome,eloquent,loadedwithadvantages,drawingallmenbyfascinationinto
tributariesandsupportsofhispower.Swordandstaff,ortalentsswordlikeorstafflike,
carryontheworkoftheworld.ButIfindhimgreaterwhenhecanabolishhimself,and
allheroes,bylettinginthiselementofreason,irrespectiveofpersonsthissubtilizer,and
irresistibleupwardforce,intoourthought,destroyingindividualismthepowersogreat
thatthepotentateisnothing.Thenheisamonarchwhogivesaconstitutiontohis
peopleapontiffwhopreachestheequalityofsouls,andreleaseshisservantsfromtheir
barbaroushomagesanemperorwhocansparehisempire.
ButIintendedtospecify,withalittleminuteness,twoorthreepointsofservice.Nature
neversparestheopiumornepenthebut,wherevershemarshercreaturewithsome
deformityordefect,laysherpoppiesplentifullyonthebruise,andthesufferergoes
joyfullythroughlife,ignorantoftheruin,andincapableofseeingit,thoughalltheworld
pointtheirfingeratiteveryday.Theworthlessandoffensivemembersofsociety,whose
existenceisasocialpest,invariablythinkthemselvesthemostillusedpeoplealive,and
nevergetovertheirastonishmentattheingratitudeandselfishnessoftheir
contemporaries.Ourglobediscoversitshiddenvirtues,notonlyinheroesand
archangels,butingossipsandnurses.Isitnotararecontrivancethatlodgedthedue
inertiaineverycreature,theconserving,resistingenergy,theangeratbeingwakedor
changed?Altogetherindependentoftheintellectualforceineachistheprideofopinion,
thesecuritythatweareright.Notthefeeblestgrandame,notamowingidiot,butuses
whatsparkofperceptionandfacultyisleft,tochuckleandtriumphinhisorheropinion
overtheabsurditiesofalltherest.Differencefrommeisthemeasureofabsurdity.Not
onehasamisgivingofbeingwrong.Wasitnotabrightthoughtthatmadethingscohere
withthisbitumen,fastestofcements?But,inthemidstofthischuckleofself
gratulation,somefiguregoesbywhichThersitestoocanloveandadmire.Thisishethat
shouldmarshalusthewayweweregoing.Thereisnoendtohisaid.WithoutPlato,we
shouldalmostloseourfaithinthepossibilityofareasonablebook.Weseemtowantbut
one,butwewantone.Welovetoassociatewithheroicpersons,sinceourreceptivityis
unlimitedand,withthegreat,ourthoughtsandmannerseasilybecomegreat.Weareall
wiseincapacity,thoughsofewinenergy.Thereneedsbutonewisemaninacompany,
andallarewise,sorapidisthecontagion.
Greatmenarethusacollyriumtoclearoureyesfromegotism,andenableustosee
otherpeopleandtheirworks.Buttherearevicesandfolliesincidenttowhole
populationsandages.Menresembletheircontemporaries,evenmorethantheir
progenitors.Itisobservedinoldcouples,orinpersonswhohavebeenhousematesfora
courseofyears,thattheygrowlikeandiftheyshouldlivelongenough,weshouldnot
beabletoknowthemapart.Natureabhorsthesecomplaisances,whichthreatentomelt
theworldintoalump,andhastenstobreakupsuchmaudlinagglutinations.Thelike
assimilationgoesonbetweenmenofonetown,ofonesect,ofonepoliticalpartyand
theideasofthetimeareintheair,andinfectallwhobreatheit.Viewedfromanyhigh
point,thiscityofNewYork,yondercityofLondon,thewesterncivilization,would
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seemabundleofinsanities.Wekeepeachotherincountenance,andexasperateby
emulationthefrenzyofthetime.Theshieldagainstthestingingsofconscienceisthe
universalpractice,orourcontemporaries.Again:itisveryeasytobeaswiseandgood
asyourcompanions.Welearnofourcontemporarieswhattheyknow,withouteffort,
andalmostthroughtheporesoftheskin.Wecatchitbysympathy,orasawifearrivesat
theintellectualandmoralelevationsofherhusband.Butwestopwheretheystop.Very
hardlycanwetakeanotherstep.Thegreat,orsuchasholdofnature,andtranscend
fashions,bytheirfidelitytouniversalideas,aresaviorsfromthesefederalerrors,and
defendusfromourcontemporaries.Theyaretheexceptionswhichwewant,whereall
growsalike.Aforeigngreatnessistheantidoteforcabalism.
Thuswefeedongenius,andrefreshourselvesfromtoomuchconversationwithour
mates,andexultinthedepthofnatureinthatdirectioninwhichheleadsus.What
indemnificationisonegreatmanforpopulationsofpygmies!Everymotherwishesone
sonagenius,thoughalltherestshouldbemediocre.Butanewdangerappearsinthe
excessofinfluenceofthegreatman.Hisattractionswarpusfromourplace.Wehave
becomeunderlingsandintellectualsuicides.Ah!yonderinthehorizonisourhelp:other
greatmen,newqualities,counterweightsandchecksoneachother.Wecloyofthe
honeyofeachpeculiargreatness.Everyherobecomesaboreatlast.PerhapsVoltaire
wasnotbadhearted,yethesaidofthegoodJesus,even,Iprayyou,letmeneverhear
thatmansnameagain.TheycryupthevirtuesofGeorgeWashingtonDamnGeorge
Washington!isthepoorJacobinswholespeechandconfutation.Butitishuman
naturesindispensabledefense.Thecentripetenceaugmentsthecentrifugence.We
balanceonemanwithhisopposite,andthehealthoftheStatedependsontheseesaw.
Thereis,however,aspeedylimittotheuseofheroes.Everygeniusisdefendedfrom
approachbyquantitiesofunavailableness.Theyareveryattractive,andseemata
distanceourownbutwearehinderedonallsidesfromapproach.Themoreweare
drawn,themorewearerepelled.Thereissomethingnotsolidinthegoodthatisdone
forus.Thebestdiscoverythediscoverermakesforhimself.Ithassomethingunrealfor
hiscompanion,untilhetoohassubstantiatedit.ItseemsasiftheDeitydressedeach
soulwhichhesendsintonatureincertainvirtuesandpowersnotcommunicabletoother
men,and,sendingittoperformonemoreturnthroughthecircleofbeings,wrote,Not
transferable,andGoodforthistriponly,onthesegarmentsofthesoul.Thereis
somewhatdeceptiveabouttheintercourseofminds.Theboundariesareinvisible,but
theyarenevercrossed.Thereissuchgoodwilltoimpart,andsuchgoodwilltoreceive,
thateachthreatenstobecometheotherbutthelawofindividualitycollectsitssecret
strength:youareyou,andIamI,andsoweremain.
29
ForNaturewisheseverythingtoremainitselfandwhilsteveryindividualstrivesto
growandexclude,andtoexcludeandgrow,totheextremitiesoftheuniverse,andto
imposethelawofitsbeingoneveryothercreature,Naturesteadilyaimstoprotecteach
againsteveryother.Eachisselfdefended.Nothingismoremarkedthanthepowerby
whichindividualsareguardedfromindividuals,inaworldwhereeverybenefactor
becomessoeasilyamalefactor,onlybycontinuationofhisactivityintoplaceswhereit
isnotduewherechildrenseemsomuchatthemercyoftheirfoolishparents,andwhere
almostallmenaretoosocialandinterfering.Werightlyspeakoftheguardianangelsof
children.Howsuperiorintheirsecurityfrominfusionsofevilpersons,fromvulgarity
andsecondthought!Theyshedtheirownabundantbeautyontheobjectstheybehold.
Therefore,theyarenotatthemercyofsuchpooreducatorsasweadults.Ifwehuffand
chidethem,theysooncomenottomindit,andgetaselfrelianceandifweindulge
themtofolly,theylearnthelimitationelsewhere.
Weneednotfearexcessiveinfluence.Amoregeneroustrustispermitted.Servethe
great.Stickatnohumiliation.Grudgenoofficethoucanstrender.Bethelimboftheir
body,thebreathoftheirmouth.Compromisethyegotism.Whocaresforthat,sothou
gainaughtwiderandnobler?NevermindthetauntofBoswellism:thedevotionmay
easilybegreaterthanthewretchedpridewhichisguardingitsownskirts.Beanother
notthyself,butaPlatonistnotasoul,butaChristiannotanaturalist,butaCartesian
notapoet,butaShaksperian.Invainthewheelsoftendencywillnotstop,norwillall
theforcesofinertia,fear,orofloveitself,holdtheethere.On,andforeveronward!The
microscopeobservesamonadorwheelinsectamongtheinfusoriescirculatinginwater.
Presentlyadotappearsontheanimal,whichenlargestoaslit,anditbecomestwo
perfectanimals.Theeverproceedingdetachmentappearsnotlessinallthought,andin
society.Childrenthinktheycannotlivewithouttheirparents.Butlongbeforetheyare
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awareofit,theblackdothasappeared,andthedetachmenttakenplace.Anyaccident
willnowrevealtothemtheirindependence.
Butgreatmenthewordisinjurious.Istherecaste?Istherefate?Whatbecomesof
thepromisetovirtue?Thethoughtfulyouthlamentsthesuperftationofnature.
Generousandhandsome,hesays,isyourherobutlookatyonderpoorPaddy,whose
countryishiswheelbarrowlookathiswholenationofPaddies.Whyarethemasses,
fromthedawnofhistorydown,foodforknivesandpowder?Theideadignifiesafew
leaders,whohavesentiment,opinion,love,selfdevotionandtheymakewaranddeath
sacredbutwhatforthewretcheswhomtheyhireandkill?Thecheapnessofmanis
everydaystragedy.Itisasrealalossthatothersshouldbelowasthatweshouldbe
lowforwemusthavesociety.
Isitareplytothesesuggestions,tosaysocietyisaPestalozzianschoolallareteachers
andpupilsinturn.Weareequallyservedbyreceivingandbyimparting.Menwhoknow
thesamethingsarenotlongthebestcompanyforeachother.Butbringtoeachan
intelligentpersonofanotherexperience,anditisasifyouletoffwaterfromalake,by
cuttingalowerbasin.Itseemsamechanicaladvantage,andgreatbenefititistoeach
speaker,ashecannowpaintouthisthoughttohimself.Wepassveryfast,inour
personalmoods,fromdignitytodependence.Andifanyappearnevertoassumethe
chair,butalwaystostandandserve,itisbecausewedonotseethecompanyina
sufficientlylongperiodforthewholerotationofpartstocomeabout.Astowhatwecall
themassesandcommonmentherearenocommonmen.Allmenareatlastofasize
andtrueartisonlypossibleontheconvictionthateverytalenthasitsapotheosis
somewhere.Fairplay,andanopenfield,andfreshestlaurelstoallwhohavewonthem!
Butheavenreservesanequalscopeforeverycreature.Eachisuneasyuntilhehas
producedhisprivaterayuntotheconcavesphere,andbeheldhistalentalsoinitslast
nobilityandexaltation.
33
Theheroesofthehourarerelativelygreatofafastergrowthortheyaresuch,in
whom,atthemomentofsuccess,aqualityisripewhichistheninrequest.Otherdays
willdemandotherqualities.Someraysescapethecommonobserver,andwantafinely
adaptedeye.Askthegreatmaniftherebenonegreater.Hiscompanionsareandnotthe
lessgreat,butthemore,thatsocietycannotseethem.Natureneversendsagreatman
intotheplanetwithoutconfidingthesecrettoanothersoul.
Onegraciousfactemergesfromthesestudiesthatthereistrueascensioninourlove.
Thereputationsofthenineteenthcenturywillonedaybequotedtoproveitsbarbarism.
Thegeniusofhumanityistherealsubjectwhosebiographyiswritteninourannals.We
mustinfermuch,andsupplymanychasmsintherecord.Thehistoryoftheuniverseis
symptomatic,andlifeismnemonical.Noman,inalltheprocessionoffamousmen,is
reasonorillumination,orthatessencewewerelookingfor,butisanexhibition,insome
quarter,ofnewpossibilities.Couldweonedaycompletetheimmensefigurewhich
theseflagrantpointscompose!Thestudyofmanyindividualsleadsustoanelemental
regionwhereintheindividualislost,orwhereinalltouchbytheirsummits.Thoughtand
feeling,thatbreakoutthere,cannotbeimpoundedbyanyfenceofpersonality.Thisis
thekeytothepowerofthegreatestmentheirspiritdiffusesitself.Anewqualityof
mindtravelsbynightandbyday,inconcentriccirclesfromitsorigin,andpublishes
itselfbyunknownmethodstheunionofallmindsappearsintimatewhatgetsadmission
toonecannotbekeptoutofanyotherthesmallestacquisitionoftruthorofenergy,in
anyquarter,issomuchgoodtothecommonwealthofsouls.Ifthedisparitiesoftalent
andpositionvanishwhentheindividualsareseeninthedurationwhichisnecessaryto
completethecareerofeach,evenmoreswiftlytheseeminginjusticedisappearswhen
weascendtothecentralidentityofalltheindividuals,andknowthattheyaremadeof
thesubstancewhichordainethanddoeth.
Thegeniusofhumanityistherightpointofviewofhistory.Thequalitiesabidethe
menwhoexhibitthemhavenowmore,nowless,andpassawaythequalitiesremainon
anotherbrow.Noexperienceismorefamiliar.Onceyousawphnixes:theyaregone
thegoneisnotthereforedisenchanted.Thevesselsonwhichyoureadsacredemblems
turnouttobecommonpotterybutthesenseofthepicturesissacred,andyoumaystill
readthemtransferredtothewallsoftheworld.Foratimeourteachersserveus
personally,asmetersormilestonesofprogress.Oncetheywereangelsofknowledge,
andtheirfigurestouchedthesky.Thenwedrewnear,sawtheirmeans,culture,and
limitsandtheyyieldedtheirplacetoothergeniuses.Happy,ifafewnamesremainso
highthatwehavenotbeenabletoreadthemnearer,andageandcomparisonhavenot
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robbedthemofaray.But,atlast,weshallceasetolookinmenforcompleteness,and
shallcontentourselveswiththeirsocialanddelegatedquality.Allthatrespectsthe
individualistemporaryandprospective,liketheindividualhimself,whoisascending
outofhislimitsintoacatholicexistence.Wehavenevercomeatthetrueandbest
benefitofanygenius,solongaswebelievehimanoriginalforce.Inthemomentwhen
heceasestohelpusasacause,hebeginstohelpusmoreasaneffect.Thenheappears
asanexponentofavastermindandwill.Theopaqueselfbecomestransparentwiththe
lightoftheFirstCause.
Yet,withinthelimitsofhumaneducationandagency,wemaysaygreatmenexistthat
theremaybegreatermen.Thedestinyoforganizednatureisamelioration,andwhocan
tellitslimits?Itisformantotamethechaosoneveryside,whilsthelives,toscatterthe
seedsofscienceandofsong,thatclimate,corn,animals,men,maybemilder,andthe
germsofloveandbenefitmaybemultiplied.
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Uses of Great Men by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Matthews, Brander, Ed. 1914

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Uses of Great Men by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Matthews, Brander, Ed. 1914

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