Named source · 1841

Essays, First Series — Heroism Quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson: Context & Meanings

2 quotations linked to Essays, First Series — Heroism by or associated with Ralph Waldo Emerson, with source notes, explanations and related topics.

More by Ralph Waldo Emerson

About this source

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay “Heroism” in Essays, First Series (1841)

Topics and ideas

Self-trust, courage, virtue, greatness, independence and Emerson’s Transcendentalist argument that heroic character does not depend on applause.

Read the source

Open a public or archival text connected with these quotations

Use these links when you want to inspect the wording in its wider work or edition.

Primary / edition source · gutenberg.org ↗ Primary / edition source · gutenberg.org ↗

Represented passages

2 quotations with source context and meaning

Source identified1

Read & copy

“Self-trust is the essence of heroism.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Meaning & context

Heroic action begins with enough trust in one’s judgment to act under uncertainty rather than waiting for unanimous approval.

Source details

Essays, First Series, essay VIII, ‘Heroism,’ Project Gutenberg #2944. ‘Self-trust is the essence of heroism’ occurs as Emerson defines the heroic soul's defiance of falsehood and wrong. It remains Transcendentalist moral and conduct-of-life rhetoric rather than a clinical personality measure or empirical prediction of courageous behavior.

↓ Download image (JPG)

Source identified2