In 1870 Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American lecturer, poet and essayist, published his essay ‘Civilization’ in which he wrote that a civilized man will move on to accomplish more and more complex tasks and he will use the powers of nature to solve problems at hand: ‘Now that is the wisdom of a man, in every instance of his labor, to hitch his wagon to a star, and see his chore done by the gods themselves. That is the way we are strong, by borrowing the might of the elements. The forces of steam, gravity, galvanism, light, magnets, wind, fire, serve us day by day, and cost us nothing.
Ralph Waldo Emerson(1803-1882)
Despite its initial idealistic message Hitch your wagon to a star later took on a slightly cynical meaning – you find and cling on to a star, someone who is already successful or something, for example a project or a business that has a good chance of bringing you fame and money.
E.g. He wisely decided to hitch his wagon to the environmental movement, which was then gaining support throughout the country. (Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms, 1998)
YOUR OPINION COUNTS! Write what you think about the following questions:
How do you feel about people attaining success by hitching their wagon to a star?
Do you have contempt for them or do you think they did the right thing by capitalizing on their acquaintance with someone rich and powerful?
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