The reliance on property is...the want of self-reliance. Men measure the esteem of each other by what each has, and not by what each is. But a cultivated man becomes ashamed of his property...(Essays)

Summary

This quote, from Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Essays," suggests that the obsession with material possessions prevents individuals from developing true self-reliance. According to Emerson, people tend to assess each other's worth based on what they own rather than focusing on their intrinsic qualities. However, he argues that a wise and cultivated person eventually feels embarrassed by their attachment to material wealth. Emerson implies that genuine self-reliance should come from within, driven by one's personal growth and character, rather than external possessions.