"Life is our dictionary"

In The American Scholar, Emerson lays out what is wrong with the scholarly mindset of the time.

He hearkens back to his essay Nature when he says: "The tradesman scarcely ever gives an ideal worth to his work, but is ridden by the routine of his craft, and the soul is subject to dollars." By this of course he means that people cannot see the forest for the trees, and instead of truly appreciating the natural wonders around them, they are reduced to seeing their duties as mundane and solely materialistic.

Emerson also talks about the dangers of uncritical reading. "The writer was a just and wise spirit," he says, "henceforward it is settled the book is perfect; as love of the hero corrupts into worship of his statue." When men have such an admiration for the writers and scholars whose works they study, it is easy to take these writers at their word, and to look past or to tune out the flaws in their theories ("Man Thinking must not be subdued by his instruments"). Books, Emerson says, are for nothing but to inspire. Man must continue to think critically.

From what I can gather, I think the old phrase "idle hands are the devil's workshop" sums up Emerson's views on "action." He likens inaction to "cowardice," and says that the "true scholar grudges every opportunity of action past by, as a loss of power." He insists that actions serve to shape and mold one's thoughts, ideas and philosophies, and only by staying active can one truly experience life.

What exactly the sort of action that one busies himself with doesn't seem to matter. Emerson speaks of "country labors," as well as "frank intercourse with many men and women." Apparently, whether the scholar is frankly debating economic policy with his fellows or toiling in the fields, he's alright; as long as he's doing something.

As far as the scholar's duties are concerned, Emerson writes that they are chiefly to promulgate reason. This seems reasonable enough: If one is knowledgeable in any given subject that is somehow relevant to the public, it's incumbent upon that individual to share this knowledge with his fellows so that he might enlighten them.

I didn't find much of anything to disagree with here. In fact, I've held similar views for quite some time now. Since you only live once, why not do what you can to make a difference now?

If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the new stand side by side and admit of being compared; when the energies of all men are searched by fear and by hope; when the historic glories of the old can be compensated by the rich possibilities of the new era? This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.

Touche.