The Quotation IndexThe trusted reference for quotations and the sources behind them
Tag Tag Nonconformity
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.
Ralph Waldo Emerson Self-Reliance · 1841

Quotes

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, 1849 · Primary source

“Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.”

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

“Insist on yourself; never imitate.”

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

“It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.”

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

“To be great is to be misunderstood.”

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

“Every path but your own is the path of fate. Keep on your own track, then.”

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, 1849 · Primary source

“I desire that there may be as many different persons in the world as possible; but I would have each one be very careful to find out and pursue his own way, and not his father’s or his mother’s or his neighbor’s instead. The youth may build or plant or sail, only let him not be hindered from doing that which he tells me he would like to do.”

Henry David Thoreau · Walden, 1849 · Primary source

“Painters, writers, musicians are lonely people. So are statesmen and admirals and generals. But then, I added to be fair, so are criminals and lunatics. Let’s just say, not to be too flattering, that true Individuals are lonely.”

Ian Fleming · The Spy Who Loved Me, 1962 · Primary source

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · No reliable source

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · No reliable source

Works

Ralph Waldo Emerson · 1841
Self-Reliance

An argument for trusting individual judgement, resisting conformity, and living according to one’s own convictions rather than external approval.

Read summary·Explore 15 quotes
Ralph Waldo Emerson · 1842
The Transcendentalist

An account of Transcendentalist thought, emphasising idealism, individual conscience, intuition, spiritual independence, and dissatisfaction with established social conventions.

Read summary·Explore 1 quotes

Related Tags

Loneliness 2 Individuality 13 Independence 29 Isolation 3 Consistency 9 Independent thought 8 Self-reliance 48 Intellectual flexibility 3 Integrity 19 Self-trust 7 Independent judgement 7 Originality 9 Social pressure 6 Inner conviction 3 Public opinion 5 Initiative 18 Authenticity 8 Self-direction 7 Personal pace 1 Personal conviction 1 Personal vocation 1 Individualism 10 Transcendentalism 32 Idealism 2 Individual conscience 1 Intuition 7