Emerson's Views On Friendship
At the beginning of a friendship, one should always start in a trusting position. This is a point I believe Emerson is making in his essay. It one enters a friendship guarded, there will be no room to grow or open up. They should not be afraid to be vulnerable, or try to protect themselves. Going into friendships thinking someone will hurt them will only weaken one’s ability to make any friends, rather than stay away from the poor ones. Trusting people is essential to becoming true friends with them. Opening up and being honest with friends is crucial as well. Emerson says, “I do not wish to treat friendships daintily, but with roughest courage. When they are real, they are not glass threads or frostwork, but the solidest thing we know”. In
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Each person must be open and truthful with the other to connect deeper. Conversations should also be limitless, without fear of judgment. Emerson, while discussing the bond of two friends, states, “Now this convention, which good sense demands, destroys the high freedom of great conversation, which requires an absolute running of two souls into one”. My take from this is that in order to have the deepest connection as possible, friends must know a great deal about each other and be able to understand the person’s inner workings. Over the course of a friendship, one learns about the others thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Knowing how a friend’s mind works strengthens the bond between both parties. The more one knows about a person, the harder it is for the friendship to end. Likewise, fear of being to open with someone can deteriorate a friendship. Emerson discusses the thought that being afraid of being to open can make one lose a genuine love. Being guarded in any type of relationship will never allow for progression. Because of that, many people will lose interest in continuing relations and will move on to someone who can open up in the way they want. When it comes to acquaintances, opening up may seem premature, but keeping distance will restrict the friendship to the same level forever. Relationships in general need some kind of commitment to keep it going. Without a deep attachment, there is lack of reason to keep going. I believe this is what Emerson means in his essay when he discusses opening up to a
Each person must be open and truthful with the other to connect deeper. Conversations should also be limitless, without fear of judgment. Emerson, while discussing the bond of two friends, states, “Now this convention, which good sense demands, destroys the high freedom of great conversation, which requires an absolute running of two souls into one”. My take from this is that in order to have the deepest connection as possible, friends must know a great deal about each other and be able to understand the person’s inner workings. Over the course of a friendship, one learns about the others thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Knowing how a friend’s mind works strengthens the bond between both parties. The more one knows about a person, the harder it is for the friendship to end. Likewise, fear of being to open with someone can deteriorate a friendship. Emerson discusses the thought that being afraid of being to open can make one lose a genuine love. Being guarded in any type of relationship will never allow for progression. Because of that, many people will lose interest in continuing relations and will move on to someone who can open up in the way they want. When it comes to acquaintances, opening up may seem premature, but keeping distance will restrict the friendship to the same level forever. Relationships in general need some kind of commitment to keep it going. Without a deep attachment, there is lack of reason to keep going. I believe this is what Emerson means in his essay when he discusses opening up to a