"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day. — 'Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood.' — Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Self-Reliance" from Essays: First Series
Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803 – April 27, 1882) was a famous American writer and poet. He's considered to be the father of the Transcendentalist movement, which stressed self-reliance and the inner good of man. Emerson encouraged Americans to think for themselves rather than copy what the Europeans were doing, and he played a huge role in shaping a unique American philosophy. Famous for being very quotable — it was Emerson who came up with the name "the shot heard round the world" to describe the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Emerson was also Henry David Thoreau's mentor, and the godfather to famous psychologist William James.
Provides examples of:
- Renowned Selective Mentor: To Henry David Thoreau
- The Philosopher: One of many.