Ralph Waldo Emerson’s description of heroism looks simple: heroes have strong values; they don’t listen to doubters. But Emerson’s essays can be described as collections of complex ideas. He also says that heroism “has pride; it is the extreme of individual nature” (177). If you are hoping to find simple answers to simple questions, such as “Are heroes good?” you won’t find them here. Using contemporary terms, Emerson is an “anti-binary” thinker. He is comfortable seeing many facets and contradictions. He is an explorer, not a simplifier. That is why – on most days — he is one of my heroes.
Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Heroism.” Emerson’s Essays. Harper & Row, 1951, p. 178.