The quote that most provoked thought and emotion from within me comes from the essay "Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. "To be great is to be misunderstood" was used by Emerson to explain the lagging growth of the conception of ideas and thoughts of his generation. Original and novel ideas were scorned by conservatives who believed the best method for learning was by repetition and memorization of proven classics written by previous generations. The continuing timelessness of his quote is still in effect today as the scientific community has evolved to accept unaccustomed theories, yet encounters difficulty when relating to...
the United States is the sole world power, a great country born out of dreams.

"Self-Reliance" expressed the need for creative thinking. Society during Emerson"s era resisted reform and scorned the reformer. Emerson saw individualism in direct conflict with society. "The effect of society," he thought," was not to strengthen the individual, but to breed conformity and fear."

Although he often criticized society, he stressed more importantly the openness of the individual through the soul. The quote " To be great is to be misunderstood" reflected upon the lack of acceptance of new thought and theory during his time.