On Self Reliance Pt 5

When he says our imagination plays us falses is a really interesting quote because most authors want us to use our imaginations to the fullest but nor this author. what I understand from this quote is that we can use imagination to come up with ideas for other benefits but not for ourselves, in other words, we should use it for good and not for bad.

He also says that man is timid and apologetic and is no longer upright, what does this mean exactly well what I see it as is that were to afraid to be different and speak out on our own ideas, but why are we afraid of being judged are we afraid that we would be isolated from society from being different. we shouldn't be because  the people that were less accept were the best