O ljubavi

Emerson (1803–1882), an American philosopher, essayist, and poet, in this essay considers love on a higher plane—not simply as a romantic or erotic passion, but as a deep spiritual force that transforms the individual and society. The essay begins with youthful, passionate love that “transforms the world”: the lover sees everything in a new light, nature comes alive, and the senses and imagination are heightened. Love opens the door to heroic and sacred dimensions of life, and establishes marriage and society.

Emerson then moves on to a higher, universal love—one that transcends gender, person, and particularity, and strives for virtue and wisdom everywhere. Love is not just a private matter; it extends toward humanity and the divine. He criticizes superficial, possessive love and advocates freedom of the spirit within relationships. The style is typically Emersonian: poetic, aphoristic, full of natural imagery and transcendental insights.

Marko Gjurić's translation is part of the early 20th century, when Croatia intensively translated world classical and modern literature, especially American transcendentalists and romantics. This edition testifies to the interest of the Croatian intellectual public in Emerson's philosophy of self-reliance, individualism and spirituality in the period before World War I.

The booklet is thin, intended for a wider audience – intellectuals, students and philosophy lovers. Today it is a rare antiquarian publication, interesting for studying the history of translation and reception of American literature in Croatia.