"to be great means to be misunderstood" - ralph waldo emerson.
what does this mean to you?
2007-01-23 15:06:07 · 8 answers · asked by lisa 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Historically, greatness means contributing to the world something that has not been priorly conceived
Societies are status quo, thus those that "buck the system" are outcasts. Being against the usual, they have few peers.
2007-01-23 16:07:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll answer, as you might actually want an answer...and not just be "ranting," or making a statement.. I would suggest that your premise is incorrect, and causing the "confusion." "Why do people have to believe that their life or existence serves some greater purpose?.....I don't need a greater reason to justify myself." This is NOT the basis for questioning, and searching. It is BECAUSE people have an innate understanding that they DO have a purpose and reason..and know it has been forgotten and or buried... by society, programing, environment, religious teaching, etc. I ask only because I know there ARE answers- For example:I have no need to convince myself there are Siberian chickens, that lay purple eggs, with 5 yolks in each egg....and off on a discovery of what I have convinced myself is "reality".. and asking why they would do that? I have no need to convince myself that because some people are Oriental,..ALL people SHOULD be Oriental -and off to prove a false premise. I am aware of the differences in culture, skin and features. I might ask why? and might want to understand, on a deeper level..I'd ask pertinent questions until I was satisfied that I understood...(knowing there was some reason). Those searching for the answers (you so disdain), is from something they have, that you don't. It is a personal awareness, experience, connection with the Universal, and "all that IS." We know there ARE answers. .and it is a natural progression of the human soul... looking for a deeper reason and purpose. Some of us, are probably just more highly evolved than some others... You have it easier... being able to accept and enjoy...I say, Good for You!! Go and ENJOY! Forget about us and the spiritual quest and innate passion that bothers you so...Why would you even be in the philosophy category? No need to presume some are off on a "fantasy" they created, in order to antagonize you - They know there are answers, (you don't) and will keep looking until they are satisfied..."To each his own..."
2016-05-24 02:59:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that, one day, Ralph Waldo Emerson thought of coming up with some words of wisdom and, not being able to do that, "produced" a sentence like thousands of other sentences forced to be quotations, sentences that can be easily contradicted. I'd say that to be great means to be understood by everybody, at different levels.
2007-01-23 15:15:12 · answer #3 · answered by mrquestion 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That sometimes, doing basically anything that could be considered great, you will face people that don't see why you are acting a certain way. They won't see that maybe you are smart and you know what you're talking about.. they are closed minded and refuse to listen, even if you are a wonderful person.
2007-01-23 15:30:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Errr, maybe; The ideas of which one speaks, although they may be great, can he misunderstood.
2007-01-23 16:29:39 · answer #5 · answered by Da Mick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that someone was an idiot when they wrote this. I think that sometimes to be great you have to fight conforming, but if your not understood your never taken seriously and therefore never get anywhere.
2007-01-23 15:10:32 · answer #6 · answered by espressoaddict22 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It means that people don't understand great people because they themselves have not been great.
2007-01-23 15:54:47 · answer #7 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GMTA.. and those that aren't so great.. don't get it..
2007-01-23 15:20:09 · answer #8 · answered by Century25 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋