Ralph Waldo Emerson Consistency Quotations

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.

But when you have chosen your part, abide by it, and do not weakly try to reconcile yourself with the world.

The need for a rational consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.

Foolish consistencies are the hobgoblins of small minds!

With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall.

Consistency is the bugbear that frightens little minds.

I hope in these days we have heard the last of conformity and consistency. Let the words be gazetted and ridiculous henceforward.Instead of the gong for dinner, let us hear a whistle from the Spartan fife.