What does Emerson mean by envy is ignorance that imitation is suicide that he must take himself for better for worse as his portion?
What does Emerson mean by envy is ignorance that imitation is suicide that he must take himself for better for worse as his portion?
As Emerson wrote, "envy is ignorance; imitation is suicide." You have something unique, original, and great to express. Try to imitate someone else and you kill off that originality which is you. Envy is a lack of appreciation of your own special gifts.
Why is envy considered ignorance?
Emerson also meant that envy is ignorance because when you envy someone else you're ignorant of the depths of your own soul and to know and trust one's self is to be close to God. The second part of the aphorism, imitation is suicide, needs no explanation by me.2018-12-30