This quote appears in the second paragraph of Emerson's famous essay. He begins the paragraph by discussing the fact that each man comes to a point in his life when he realizes that the power to know and to do lies only within him. Emerson states that "imitation is suicide," and in doing so, he establishes his thesis to be supported by the quote from your question.
The quote specifically refers to the idea that an individual's perception is solely his own. There is no standard or reason for why some things, people, or ideas leave an impression and why others do not--it is simply up to the individual to interpret what he sees with his "eye." Emerson believes that not only must a person be reliant upon self in providing basic necessities, but he must also be self-reliant in his thinking, beliefs, and perceptions.
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