 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...  The Harvard Classics - Page 701909Full view - About this book
 | Ralph Waldo [essays] Emerson - 1853 - 214 pages
...concern himself with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in words as hard as cannon-balls, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict everything you said to-day. " Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood." Is it so bad, then, to... | |
 | Fredrika Bremer - 1853 - 468 pages
...great soul has simply nothing to do. Speak out what you think to-day in words as hard as cannon-balls, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict everything you said to-day. Ah, then, exclaim the aged ladies, you shall be sure to be misunderstood.... | |
 | Fredrika Bremer - 1854 - 676 pages
...great soul has simply nothing to do. Speik out what you think to-day in words as hard as cannon-balls, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard...then, exclaim the aged ladies, you shall be sure to be misunderstood. Misunderstood ? It is a right fool's word. Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood?... | |
 | Oliver Prescott Hiller - 1857 - 388 pages
...says,—and he appears to act upon it—" Speak what you think to-day in words as hard as cannon-balls, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict everything you said to-day. With consistency a great soul has nothing to do." Now, what folly and nonsense... | |
 | Augusta Jane Evans - 1859 - 518 pages
...minds. With consistency, a great soul has simply nothing to do. Speak what you think now in hard words ; and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict everything you said to-day. Why should you keep your head over your shoulder ? Why drag about this... | |
 | John Frederick Boyes - 1859 - 284 pages
...the hobgoblin of little minds." — " Speak what you think to say in words as hard as cannon-balls, and tomorrow speak what to-morrow thinks, in hard words again ; though it contradict everything you have said to day." (Essay on Self-Rel/ance.) Observe the " everything." Why, even if... | |
 | William Makepeace Thackeray - 1906 - 870 pages
...self-reproaches. ' With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradicts everything you said to-day.' His aim and his work were before and not behind him. He saw... | |
 | Thomas Spencer Baynes - 1861 - 534 pages
...He may as well concern himself about his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard...it contradict every thing you said to-day. — Ah, " so you will be sure to be misunderstood." — Is it so bad then to be misunderstood ? Pythagoras... | |
 | Theodore Parker - 1864 - 626 pages
...packthread, do. Else, if you would be a man, speak what you think to- day in words as hard as cannon-balls, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict everything you said to-day." — Essays, p. 47. The man must not be a slave to a single form of thought... | |
 | Caroline Frances Cornwallis - 1864 - 516 pages
...true nor beautiful; as, for instance, " Speak what you think to-day in words as hard as cannon-balls, and tomorrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict everything you said today." Though I would not follow consistency against conviction, yet I think he... | |
| |
