Keep the independence of solitude in the middle of the crowd.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)

What it means

Being yourself alone is easy, and going along with everyone in public is easy. The hard thing is staying your own person while surrounded by others, and doing it kindly. That is what Emerson calls greatness.

The source

"Keep the independence of solitude in the middle of the crowd." Ralph Waldo Emerson said it in Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841). Written in English: Essays: First Series, 1841.

"the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."

Original English (Essays: First Series, 1841), Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841). Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882). American essayist and lecturer who led the Transcendentalists. His lines here come from Nature, Self-Reliance and his Essays.

Questions

What does "Keep the independence of solitude in the middle of the crowd." mean?: Being yourself alone is easy, and going along with everyone in public is easy. The hard thing is staying your own person while surrounded by others, and doing it kindly. That is what Emerson calls greatness.
Who said "Keep the independence of solitude in the middle of the crowd."?: Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882). Source: Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841).
What is the original wording?: the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude (Original English (Essays: First Series, 1841)). Written in English: Essays: First Series, 1841.
Is "Keep the independence of solitude in the middle of the crowd." on a shirt?: Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"Keep the independence of solitude in the middle of the crowd." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841), trans. Original English (Essays: First Series, 1841)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/keep-the-independence-of-solitude-in-the-middle