Take the L means "Take The Loss"
Which is mostly used for flunking a test, being dumped, being stood up, being beaten up or robbed.
“The cough is a mere nothing. It will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough” this part of the passage is very ironic because he really won’t die of a cough but he is explaining the cough to be nothing for him to be worried about
Answer: B) One should follow one’s conscience instead of what others dictate.
In "Self-Reliance," Emerson discusses the importance of individuality. He argues that it is very valuable for a person to follow what he believes in, instead of doing what others dictate. He believes that attaining self-sufficiency and independence is extremely important for people, and that this is what we should encourage, as opposed to conformity and social rules.