Emerson believed in two kinds of "learning" --- tuition and intuition. Tuition is the kind of learning we generally associate with school. It comes from effort, from absorbing knowledge from those around us. The other is intuition, a direct perception that each of us has to the truth because we all participate in one "whole" --- the "Oversoul." This is a basic principle of Transcendentalism ... that genius comes not so much from the accumulation of facts, but from direct inspiration from this Oversoul.
Because we have a direct contact to this knowledge, Emerson and Transcendentalists believe that these perceptions are the only "Law" to which we are responsible. This will not go over so well with the "most men" who "live lives of quiet desperation" (Thoreau). For trusting these perceptions, the "world will whip you with its displeasure." Whereas most men want us to share the worldview of the majority, Emerson asserts that the only time we are ourselves is when we "Trust Thyself" as did Moses and all other truly great men.
"Trust thyself; every heart vibrates to that iron string."
"Whoso would be a man must be a non-conformist."
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