"The highest merit we ascribe to Moses, Plato, and Milton," says Emerson, "is that they se

t at nought books and traditions, and spoke not what men thought but what they thought. A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the luster of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought because it is his. In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty." It is strange that any one who has recognized the individuality of all works of lasting influence should not also recognize the fact that his own individuality ought to be steadfastly preserved. As Emerson says in continuation, "Great works of art have no more affecting lesson for us than this. They teach us to abide by our spontaneous impressions with good- humored inflexibility, then most when the whole cry of voices is on the other side. Else tomorrow a stranger will say with masterful good sense precisely what we have thought and felt all the time, and we shall be forced to take with shame our opinion from another." Accepting the opinions of another and the tastes of another is very different from agreement in opinion and taste. Originality is independence, not rebellion. It is sincerity, not antagonism. Whatever you believe to be true and false, that proclaim to be true and false. Whatever you think admirable and beautiful, that should be your model, even if ail your friends and ail the critics storm at you as a crotchet-monger and an eccentric. Whether the public will feel its truth and beauty at once, or after long years, or never cease to regard it as paradox and ugliness, no man can foresee. Enough for you to know that you have done your best, have been true to yourself, and that the utmost power inherent in your work has been displayed.

The title below that best expresses the main idea of this passage is ______.

A．What Emerson Said

B．Individualism in Writing

C．Doing Your Best

D．Great Works of Art