Journal #8

5. To be great is to be misunderstood.
Emerson is saying that if you want to be someone recognized you need to do something that no one has thought of and would think of doing. To be great, you need to do something out of the ordinary that an onlooker would think was different. However, being different should be your goal rather than normal. If you would like to accomplish great feats, you will need to think outside the box which will cause you to be misunderstood. If everyone goes through life the same way, no one will be different. But, if you are not afraid to put yourself out there and be fearless of what people think then you will be great.


13. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
In this aphorism Emerson is saying that you should always try new things. Your whole life you should not focus on just one experience, but rather try many new things and you will have a better life. If you keep trying new things you will find new experiences you might like a lot better which will make you a happier person. Every experience you try will make you a better person and make your life that much better. If you live your life doing one thing you might be living a boring life, but if you expand your horizons and experiment you can change your life.


14. The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
Emerson is saying that you must be nice and kind to people if you want people to like you. No one wants to be friends with someone who is mean and negative. If you are a friend, you will be nice, kind and supportive to get friends and to keep your friends. If you apply the Golden Rule to this-“Do on to others as you would want them to do on to you”- it makes sense. If you do not one someone being mean to you or treating you badly, then do not treat them with disrespect and in return you will have friends.