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.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson refers to the "hobgoblin of little minds" as the foolish consistency that arises from holding onto one's beliefs or ideas without considering new information or perspectives. He argues that this narrow-mindedness can hinder personal growth and intellectual development.
Being consistent is not necessarily a good thing.apexEnglish 3
In "Self-Reliance," Emerson uses the adjective "foolish" to emphasize the negative consequences of blindly adhering to consistency and conforming to societal norms. He argues that true self-reliance requires individuals to trust their own instincts and judgments, even if it means straying from conventional ideas or beliefs. By labeling consistency as "foolish," Emerson highlights the importance of independent thinking and challenging established notions in order to achieve personal growth and self-fulfillment.
It is the same way you say it in English.
Emerson believed that consistency in thought and action was overrated. He saw it as a sign of a small mind and valued individuality and self-expression over conformity. Emerson also believed that those who feared being misunderstood were failing to fully embrace their own unique perspective and insights.
many people act according to habit or custom without thinking about why
He thinks they are cowards. He said himself to be misunderstood is great.
They spek their minds and are not afraid of what others think
They are not afraid to tell the truth about their feelings and beliefs.
Work that matters to the people who do it
Emerson's use of "foolish consistency" emphasizes the idea that being blindly consistent without questioning or adapting can hinder personal growth and intellectual development. He suggests that it is important to be flexible in thought and open to change in order to progress and evolve.