Journal 8: Thinking True Thoughts

1. We boil at different degrees.

The aphorism that “we boil at different degrees” is about the difference of people.  Each person was created differently than the one beside them; therefore, that means we all get angry or upset about different things.  Someone might get furious about a little mistake another person caused, while someone else might be able to look past that mistake without being mad at all.  I believe Emerson’s aphorism is completely correct because I have many friends that seem to get upset about various situations.  I think this aphorism is also a warning because it is saying to be careful with what you do depending on whom you are with. 

2. To be great is to be misunderstood.

           The aphorism “To be great is to be misunderstood” means that if you are a genius, no one else is able to understand your ways because they are not as smart as you.  Emerson is saying that it would only make sense that if you are greater than everyone, no one would be able to follow your ways.  This is understandable because you would not be as great if the person beside you could act, speak, and think in the same way you could.  That means that you are no better than they are.  “To be great is to be misunderstood” is saying that you have your own unique process of thinking or acting or speaking that no one else can copy.  It is also stating that you should be your own person because there is not another exact duplicate of you, and no one could be better at being you then yourself.  I agree with Emerson’s aphorism 100 percent because he is correct.  Everyone is different in his or her own ways, which makes us all great because each and every one of us are misunderstood at least one time in our lives.     

3) All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.

The aphorism “All life is an experiment, the more experiments you make the better” means that everyone should live life to the fullest extent.  You only get to live life once, so make life worth living.  Do crazy and exciting things that will make life long memories.  Instead of saying the word “experiments” in the aphorism, use other terms such as risks and adventures.  In other words, life would be a lot more fun to live and exciting to be active in if it was full of crazy adventure that took you to amazing places.  Emerson’s aphorism is very powerful and wise; therefore, I absolutely love it.  I believe he is absolutely right.  Life is an experiment because you do not know how it is going to turn out.  Therefore, why wait around to meet your fate when you could create different turns and twists till fate meets you.