Summary of Self-Reliance and Other Essays

Self-Reliance and Other Essays is a collection of essays written by American transcendentalist philosopher and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. The collection includes some of Emerson's most famous essays, such as "Self-Reliance", "The Over-Soul", and "Circles". The essays are centered around Emerson's belief in individualism and the power of the individual to find truth and beauty in the world. Emerson's essays emphasize the importance of trusting one's own intuition, of embracing a balanced unity of the physical and spiritual worlds, and of transcending society's often-oppressive conventions to achieve a higher level of understanding and wholeness. Through these essays, he calls for people to cultivate self-reliance, confidence, and an appreciation of nature while rejecting conformity in order to lead rewarding lives.