The Quotation IndexThe trusted reference for quotations and the sources behind them
Tag Tag Independent judgement
Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.
Ralph Waldo Emerson Self-Reliance · 1841

Quotes

“You will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Self-Reliance, 1841 · Primary source

“What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think. This rule, equally arduous in actual and in intellectual life, may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Self-Reliance, 1841 · Primary source

“With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Self-Reliance, 1841 · Primary source

“The three practical rules, then, which I have to offer, are: 1. Never read any book that is not a year old. 2. Never read any but famed books. 3. Never read any but what you like.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Books, 1870 · Primary source

“Not all Senators would agree—but few would deny that the desire to be re-elected exercises a strong brake on independent courage.”

John F. Kennedy · Profiles in Courage, 1956 · Primary source

“It was a reaction I learned from my father: have no respect whatsoever for authority; forget who said it and instead look at what he starts with, where he ends up, and ask yourself, Is it reasonable?”

Richard Feynman · What Do You Care What Other People Think?, 1986 · Primary source

Related Tags

Integrity 19 Self-trust 7 Nonconformity 14 Self-reliance 48 Duty 11 Moral autonomy 1 Social pressure 6 Public opinion 5 Moral courage 5 Consistency 9 Intellectual flexibility 3 Reading 14 Book selection 2 Literary reputation 1 Personal taste 1 Re-election 1 Political incentives 1 Electoral pressure 1 Political courage 3 Authority 4 Critical thinking 12 Evidence 18 Reasoning 7