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This quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, from his essay, Self-Reliance:

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.

Emerson believed that people need to stop foolishly following everyone else, and become self-reliant. To break it down into plain English:

"Foolish consistency" - doing something the same way over and over without a good reason

"hobgoblin" - a monster or demon or, in this case, it means the thing that trips you up

"little minds" - people who cannot think logically and rationally

"little statesmen and philosophers and divines" - small-minded politicians, philosophers, and church officials

Thus, following rules without reasons is the thing which hampers small-minded people.

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7mo ago

This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson suggests that blindly adhering to consistency, even when it is foolish or irrational, is a sign of small-mindedness. It warns against valuing superficial consistency over critical thinking and flexibility in our beliefs and actions. It encourages independent thinking and the willingness to adapt to new information or circumstances.

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Q: What does 'a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds' mean?
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What does Emerson call the hobgoblin of little minds?

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.


What does the sentence - Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds mean?

This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson suggests that narrow-minded or uncreative individuals tend to rely on consistency as a crutch, fearing change or deviation from their routine. It implies that true growth and innovation require stepping outside of one's comfort zone and being open to new possibilities.


Who wrote the quote 'poor minds talk about people average minds talk about events great minds talk about ideas'?

Eleanor Roosevelt is often credited with the quote, "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." However, the exact origin of this quote is debated and can be traced back to various sources.


Who wrote the quote poor minds talk about people average minds talk about events great minds talk about ideas?

That quote is often attributed to writer Eleanor Roosevelt. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on ideas rather than gossip or everyday events. It suggests that discussing ideas is a sign of intellectual depth and curiosity.


In which veda is the saying war begins in the minds of men stated?

The saying "war begins in the minds of men" is stated in the Rig Veda. It highlights the idea that conflict often originates from the thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes of individuals rather than solely from external factors.

Related questions

What is in the essay self-reliance Emerson?

Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist. Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblins of little minds." A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds. Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. Apex = ) A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds. Type your answer here... Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.


Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds - This phrase was coined by what Transcendentalist?

Ralph Waldo Emerson


What does Emerson call the hobgoblin of little minds?

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.


What did Emerson mean when he said A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds?

many people act according to habit or custom without thinking about why


What does Emerson say about consistency?

Emerson believed that consistency was the hobgoblin of little minds, indicating that rigid consistency can hinder personal growth and creativity. He emphasized the importance of remaining open to new ideas and experiences, even if they contradict one's previous beliefs.


What word completes this sentence from self reliance?

The word "nothing" completes this sentence from "Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."


When Ralph Waldo Emerson said 'A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds' what did he mean?

Emerson meant that only small-minded people would be so foolish as to refuse to change a customary practice, or way of looking at things, simply because "We have always done it this way!" even if a change might be beneficial -- perhaps cheaper, fairer, more effective, or more in keeping with objective evidence. (One use of the word "hobgoblin" in Emerson's time was to denote a concept or entity that induced in some people fear or distress out of proportion to its actual importance.)Answer:This quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, from his essay, Self-Reliance: A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.Emerson believed that people need to stop foolishly following everyone else, and become self-reliant. To break it down into plain English:"Foolish consistency" - doing something the same way over and over without a good reason"hobgoblin" - a monster or demon or, in this case, it means the thing that trips you up"little minds" - people who cannot think logically and rationally"little statesmen and philosophers and divines" - small-minded politicians, philosophers, and church officialsThus, following rules without reasons is the thing which hampers small-minded people. Those who make it their business to control others beliefs, especially those mentioned by Emerson, encourage the foolish consistencies in those people they wish to control.


What does the sentence - Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds mean?

This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson suggests that narrow-minded or uncreative individuals tend to rely on consistency as a crutch, fearing change or deviation from their routine. It implies that true growth and innovation require stepping outside of one's comfort zone and being open to new possibilities.


What is Emerson speaking of when he mentions consistency and why does he berate it as the hobgoblin minds?

This quote from Self-Reliance addresses the problem of rigid ideology, habit, and resistance to change. Flexibility, progress, and open mindedness can lead to a wealth of knowledge.


What are the release dates for Foolish Minds - 2001?

Foolish Minds - 2001 was released on: USA: 29 May 2001 (Los Angeles Film Festival)


Can you being a sentence with because?

You can begin a sentence with Xdjklfjub if you like.However, it's commonly considered bad form to begin a sentence with a conjunction. You may be able to get away with it if you use a word most people the hobgoblin of whose minds is a foolish consistency don't realize is a conjunction.


What actors and actresses appeared in Foolish Minds - 2001?

The cast of Foolish Minds - 2001 includes: Terry Camilleri as Tony Eric Collin Campbell as Harry Paul McKinney as Troy Diana Terranova as Pizza Slut