Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sursum Corda

Sursum Corda - meaning Summary

Selfhood Over Seeking Spirit

The poem counsels against desperately seeking an absent Spirit and instead urges confident self-affirmation. Addressing a vulnerable speaker, it rejects complaint and excuse, instructing them to confront blame and declare steadfast loyalty to their own reality. It even tells Heaven to come or go, claiming that divine favor has already sided with genuine selfhood. The poem champions inner assurance over pleading for external spiritual proof.

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Seek not the Spirit, if it hide, Inexorable to thy zeal: Baby, do not whine and chide; Art thou not also real? Why should'st thou stoop to poor excuse? Turn on the Accuser roundly; say, "Here am I, here will I remain Forever to myself soothfast, Go thou, sweet Heaven, or, at thy pleasure stay."— Already Heaven with thee its lot has cast, For it only can absolutely deal.

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