Communication Needs

What does this quote mean from "Self Reliance"?

This is taken from an essay written my Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is entitled, "Self Reliance" What does it mean?!? Man does not stand in awe of men, nor is the soul admonished to stay at home, to put itself in communication with the internal ocean, but it goes abroad to beg a cup of water of the urns of men.

Public Comments

1. I dont know but you should go piss on Ralphs grave for what is probably a simple concept made complicated by using too many metaphors.
2. It means that no matter how much one is or wants to be isolated, there is always going to be a desire to go elsewhere and seek people out. It is a fundamental reaction inherent in human beings - we don't simply stand and observe others, and we're not truly content alone for long periods of time, no matter how much contemplation can be done.
3. 1. Man does not stand in awe of men, 2. nor is the soul admonished to stay at home, to put itself in communication with the internal ocean, 3. but it goes abroad to beg a cup of water of the urns of men. 1. ??? 2. Our minds don't want to simply think about themselves. Eg. they don't want to sit in a dark cave reflecting on everything one said or did, and why. 3. Our minds need input from other minds. (cup of water = ideas) If you sat alone in a dark cave from your birth to your death, your mind would have very few things to think about: no danger, no embarrassment, no love hate or jealousy, etc. If you met another person in that cave, they could tell you about the world and fill your mind with ideas. You could also grow to be friends with them, and feel sad when they leave. Your mind would be more filled with ideas. This quote is also good: I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race -- James Joyce.