Emerson presents genuine thinking as demanding work rather than an automatic mental activity. His point is not that people rarely have thoughts, but that sustained, independent reflection requires concentration, discipline and a willingness to examine assumptions. It is often easier to repeat familiar opinions or accept established ideas than to consider a subject from first principles.

Within Intellect, the statement reflects Emerson’s concern with intellectual independence and openness. He distinguishes serious thought from passive acceptance of inherited beliefs, suggesting that the mind must remain receptive while also exercising judgement. Calling thought the “hardest task” is deliberately emphatic rather than a literal comparison with every form of human labour. The quotation highlights the effort involved in examining evidence, resisting easy conclusions and forming one’s own understanding of difficult questions.