Behavior, published in 1860 as part of The Conduct of Life, examines how character is expressed through manners, speech, appearance and everyday social conduct. Emerson argues that behaviour communicates qualities that words alone may conceal, making gestures, habits and personal bearing important elements of social life.

He considers courtesy, self-command, confidence and adaptability, while distinguishing genuine manners from artificial politeness. For Emerson, effective social behaviour grows from character rather than from rigid rules of etiquette. He also explores how people judge one another quickly through outward signs and how social competence can influence relationships and opportunities.

The essay combines observations about society with Emerson’s wider emphasis on self-reliance and personal development. It presents manners as both practical social skills and outward expressions of inner discipline, suggesting that conduct shapes how individuals participate in and influence the communities around them.