This quote suggests that in order to excel at anything, one must approach it from a higher outlook or understanding.This ‘higher ground’ could refer to a variety of factors such as having more knowledge, experience or wisdom about the task at hand. It implies that success isn’t just about doing the work but also understanding the wider context of what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.
In today’s world, this idea is particularly relevant in terms of personal and professional development.For instance, if someone wants to become an expert in their field, they need to not only master their specific job duties but also understand the broader industry trends and developments. They shoudl be able to contextualize their work within these larger dynamics.
Similarly, if someone wants to improve themselves personally – say by becoming more patient or empathetic – they need to understand their own emotions and motivations on a deeper level. They can’t just decide one day that they’re going to be more patient without understanding why they tend to be impatient in the frist place.So according Emerson’s quote,true mastery or improvement comes from this ‘higher ground’ – this deeper level of insight and understanding about ourselves and our world. It suggests that we should always strive for this higher perspective as it enables us not only do things well but also do them meaningfully.