Science of appearances

Essays — First Series primary

In the essay on Prudence, Emerson admits personal limitations, defines prudence as the virtue of the senses and the science of appearances, and ranks knowledge into common sense, taste, and spiritual perception.

false when detached. It is legitimate when it is the Natural History of the soul incarnate, when it unfolds the beauty of laws within the narrow scope of the senses. There are all degrees of proficiency in knowledge of the world. It is sufficient to our present purpose to indicate three. One class live to the utility of the symbol, esteeming health and wealth a final good. Another class live above this mark to the b…