He cumbers himself never about consequences, about interests; he gives an independent, genuine verdict. You must court him: he does not court you. But the man is, as it were, clapped into jail by his consciousness.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of an independent mindset and the burden of self-awareness.
Ralph Waldo Emerson reflects on the intricate balance between independent thought and the constraints imposed by one's own conscience. He suggests that a true thinker does not concern himself with societal approval or the implications of his opinions. However, this independence may lead to a profound inner struggle, as the awareness of one's own thoughts can feel like a form of imprisonment.
In practice
During a discussion on free speech, this quote can illustrate the tension between personal belief and public opinion.
It is plain that there is no separate essence called courage, no cup or cell in the brain, no vessel in the heart containing drops or atoms that make or give this virtue; but it is the right or healthy state of every man, when he is free to do that which is constitutional to him to do.
Few people have any next, they live from hand to mouth without a plan, and are always at the end of their line.
Men cease to interest us when we find their limitations
Tis the good reader that makes the good book; a good head cannot read amiss: in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakeably meant for his ear.
The world belongs to the energetic.
Hast thou named all the birds without a gun?
There's nothing to prove, nothing to figure out, nothing to get, nothing to understand. When we finally stop explaining everything to ourselves, we may discover that in silence, complete understanding is already there.
We cannot judge fully of men's works by what we see, or what is said and thought of them; for man is prone to depreciate that which is really important, and to exact and extol what is trivial and of little worth. Many things which are hidden and unrecognized of human wisdom are nevertheless valuable and vitally important.
Oldtimers, weekends, and airplane landings are alike. If you can walk away from them, they're successful.
Be still, sad heart! and cease repining; Behind the clouds is the sun still shining; Thy fate is the common fate of all, Into each life some rain must fall
Bewildered is the fox who lives to find that grapes beyond reach can be really sour.
The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.
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