stands among partial men for the complete man

[Vik-Nik-Sor]

1)

The breadth of the problem is great, for the poet is representative. He stands among partial men for the complete man, and apprises us not of his wealth, but of the common wealth. The young man reveres men of genius, because, to speak truly, they are more himself than he is. They receive of the soul as he also receives, but they more.

The Poet by Ralph Emerson

2)

partial
of, involving, or affecting a part rather than the whole of something : not total or entire : not general or universal : existing to a limited extent only
among partial men, he stood for the complete man — Van Wyck Brooks

MW

Explain to me please the meaning of the phrases in bold.

 

[bhaisahab]

1) The Poet by Ralph Emerson

2)
MW

Explain to me please the meaning of the phrases in bold.

In the first, the poet presently represents the complete man amongst partial men.
In the second it was in the past.

 

[Vik-Nik-Sor]

In the first, the poet presently represents the complete man amongst partial men.
In the second it was in the past.

I should have asked a more detailed question...
1. I don't understand the idea of "complete" and "partial" man in this context.
2. What does the verb "stand for" mean here? It has several meanings and I don't understand which one works here.

 

[bhaisahab]

I should have asked a more detailed question...
1. I don't understand the idea of "complete" and "partial" man in this context.
2. What does the verb "stand for" mean here? It has several meanings and I don't understand which one works here.

1. complete adjective (VERY GREAT) - definition in the British English Dictionary & Thesaurus - Cambridge Dictionaries Online This is the closest definition of "complete" for that context (it is a poem). "partial" means "not complete".
2. "represent"