The Conduct of Life - Softcover

Name: The Conduct of Life
Author: Emerson, Ralph Waldo
ISBN: 9781497591110

Emerson, Ralph Waldo

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ISBN 10: 1497591112 ISBN 13: 9781497591110

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014

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It chanced during one winter, a few years ago, that our cities were bent on discussing the theory of the Age. By an odd coincidence, four or five noted men were each reading a discourse to the citizens of Boston or New York, on the Spirit of the Times. It so happened that the subject had the same prominence in some remarkable pamphlets and journals issued in London in the same season. To me, however, the question of the times resolved itself into a practical question of the conduct of life. How shall I live? We are incompetent to solve the times. Our geometry cannot span the huge orbits of the prevailing ideas, behold their return, and reconcile their opposition. We can only obey our own polarity. 'Tis fine for us to speculate and elect our course, if we must accept an irresistible dictation. In our first steps to gain our wishes, we come upon immovable limitations. We are fired with the hope to reform men. After many experiments, we find that we must begin earlier,—at school. But the boys and girls are not docile; we can make nothing of them. We decide that they are not of good stock. We must begin our reform earlier still,—at generation: that is to say, there is Fate, or laws of the world.

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From the Back Cover

This collection of essays was published originally in 1860, just before the American Civil War. In it, philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson turns toward pragmatism and focuses on the practical application of ethics in everyday life. Students of philosophy and literature will enjoy these thoughtful writings from one of America's most celebrated authors. Topics include. . Culture . Fate . Beauty . Worship American poet and philosopher RALPH WALDO EMERSON (1803-1882), the "Sage of Concord," was a driving force behind the Transcendental Movement of the early 18th century and remains a major figure in American literature. His works include Representative Men (1850), Society and Solitude (1870), and Parnassus (1875).