Emerson, Ralph Waldo (1803-1882)

Nature

September 10, 1836

"Whilst we wait in this Olympus of gods, we think of nature as an appendix to the soul."

4. Intellectual science has been observed to beget invariably a doubt of the existence of matter. Turgot said, “He that has never doubted the existence of matter, may be assured he has no aptitude for metaphysical inquiries.” It fastens the attention upon immortal necessary uncreated natures, that is, upon Ideas; and in their presence, we feel that the outward circumstance is a dream and a shade. Whilst we wait in this Olympus of gods, we think of nature as an appendix to the soul. We ascend into their region, and know that these are the thoughts of the Supreme Being. “These are they who were set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When he prepared the heavens, they were there; when he established the clouds above, when he strengthened the fountains of the deep. Then they were by him, as one brought up with him. Of them took he counsel.”
(p. 46-7)

Writing::Appendix

Reading

Emerson, R. W. Nature. 1836. Pagination keyed to Stephen Whicher's Selections from Ralph Waldo Emerson: An Organic Anthology Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1957. <eBooks@Adelaide><Oregon State Electronic Edition>

03/31/2010