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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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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'?

The original quote from Eleanor Roosevelt goes like this: Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.There are variations on this quote. Tobias S. Gibson is credited with this shorter version: Great people talk about ideas. Small people talk about other people.US humorist, Fran Lebowitz's alter version is: Great people talk about ideas, average people talk about things, and small people talk about wine.This was said by Socrates.


What do small minds discuss?

Small minds discuss people, gossip, and trivial matters rather than ideas or important topics.


What do small minds typically focus on in conversations?

Small minds typically focus on gossip, trivial matters, and criticizing others in conversations.

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?

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.


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."


Why do some people believe that consistency is the hobgoblin of simple minds?

Some people believe that consistency is the hobgoblin of simple minds because they think that being consistent can limit creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. They believe that changing one's mind or approach can lead to better outcomes and growth.


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 are some famous quotes about hobgoblins and their mischievous nature?

One famous quote about hobgoblins and their mischievous nature is from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." This quote suggests that being too rigid or consistent in one's thinking can limit creativity and growth. Another famous quote is from William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet": "How now, a rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead!" This quote refers to the mischievous and deceptive nature of hobgoblins, likening them to rats that cause trouble and chaos.


What are the release dates for Foolish Minds - 2001?

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


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.