According to Emerson, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to you on its own, but that every person is given their own plot of ground for them to till.  In other words, Emerson believed through one's work on themselves, increasing their maturity, intellect, overcoming insecurities, will allow a person to be self-reliant to the point where they no longer envy others, but measure themselves against how they were the day before. That when we do become self-reliant, we focus on creating, rather than imitating. As being someone we are not is just as damaging to the soul as suicide.