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EMERSON="Trust thyself; every heart vibrates to that iron string." These immortal words, published in Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance in 1841, represent just one of the thousands of shimmering diamonds of wisdom imparted by the man known as the "Concord Sage." Emerson beautifully espoused the virtues individualism. Reading Emerson's prose is a laborious process but one that yields infinite rewards.

As in life, the amount of heart and soul you bring to bear when reading Emerson's essays, poems and lectures will be reflected in what you take away. "Insist on yourself; never imitate," Emerson wrote in Self-Reliance. He consistently called upon his readers to be still and listen to their inner voice, and then act on that eternal wisdom within. "Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist," Emerson also states in Self-Reliance. His series of essays laid the foundation of modern American philosophy.

CONFUCIUS=Among ancient Eastern philosophers, Confucius is arguably the most familiar to the Western world and perhaps the most quotable. "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest," Confucius wrote. A Chinese philosopher who lived from 551 BC-479 BC, Confucius' collection of thoughts was developed into a school of thought known as Confucianism.

Confucius is perhaps best known for everyday, practical wisdom like, "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." If one studies quotes by Confucius, they may begin to see his philosophy reflected in modern self-help books. "The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence," Confucius wrote.

DESCARTES Known as the "Father of Modern Philosophy," Ren Descartes had a profound influence on Western philosophy. Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy is required reading for most college philosophy majors. A mathematician, Descartes is forerver immortalized by the Cartesian coordinate system, which introduced geometric shapes into the discipline of algebra. Descartes is known as the father of analytical geometry and a key player in the Scientific Revolution. The innovation that Descartes brought to philosophy is a questioning attitude. Considering that humans rely on their five senses to interpret the world around them, and that our senses can deceive us, Descartes believed the essence of seeking truth is questioning our reality. "If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things," Descartes wrote. To his credit, Descartes also include concrete life advice in his wisdom. "It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well," he wrote.

David Hume

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