"Human Beings have long struggled with the issue of conformity. People have grappled with the conflict between an individuals desire to express himself and his need to fit in with society as a whole. In the late nineteenth century transcendentalists argued that individuals should assert their individuality and resist conforming to society's expectations" (Mrs. Buckley) in short stating that conformity is entirely wrong. .
The Transcendental Movement held a strong opinion that one should have complete faith in oneself. Emerson, being an avid transcendentalist, believed in this philosophy. He supported this concept that we should rely on our own intuition and beliefs. "Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string." (Self Reliance, Waldo Emerson) Emerson, along with the Transcendental Movement, believed in the vitality of self-reliance. One must have confidence and belief in oneself. " the only right is what is after my constitution; the only wrong is what is against it." (Self Reliance, Waldo Emerson) Once one has reliance upon oneself, he can generate his own set of ideals and morals, not just the ideals bestowed upon him by society. In obeying these principles of life, he has created a constitution of his own. This constitution is the guiding light of his life; it leads the way to truth and ultimate liberation and provides the right path to follow. This idea brings about the transcendental concept of the belief in the worth of the individual. The individual, in transcendental philosophy, has the power to accomplish anything and everything. Social organization and friendship offer a small satisfaction of companionship and structure in life, but one will ultimately succeed based upon his own skills and conviction. In doing so, he will lose interest in the society and concentrate on more individual dependency as he strives to gain ultimate truth in life. "What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think.