What is Emerson asserting in this statement?"It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion, it is easy in solitude to live after our...

The basic premise of the quote is that there is a greater
sense of character within the individual who is able to maintain their own sense of
character and integrity in a world that might speak otherwise.  Emerson's primary
assertion is one that stresses that independence of thought should be a constant, even
when all other voices around the individual speaks to the contrary.  For Emerson, the
approach of his contemporary, Thoreau, is an admirable one, but one that does fully take
into account that individuals must live in a social setting amongst individuals.  At
some level, being able to isolate oneself in a complete sense is not practical. 
However, if one can maintain one's own sense of identity and independence while being
immersed in a social setting.  In this light, individuals must find a balance between
being dependent on others in a social sense, while maintaining their own sense of
independence from the opinions of others.