The world is his who can see through its pretension. What deafness, what stone-blind custom, what overgrown error you behold, is there only by sufferance,--by your sufferance. See it to be a lie, and you have already dealt it its mortal blow.
Interpretation
Understanding the world's illusions allows one to transcend them.
Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote emphasizes the importance of perception in discerning the truth behind societal norms and pretensions. By recognizing the falsehoods perpetuated by tradition and custom, one gains power over them, effectively dismantling their influence and asserting personal freedom.
In practice
During a motivational speech about critical thinking and self-awareness.
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?
Low self-esteem causes me to believe that I have so little worth that my response does not matter. With repentance, however, I understand that being worth so much to God is why my response is so important. Repentance is remedial work to mend our minds and hearts, which get bent by sin.
By far the greatest and most admirable form of wisdom is that needed to plan and beautify cities and human communities.
It is as commendable to think well of oneself when alone, as it is ridiculous to speak well of oneself among others.
When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive knowledge.
Only the suppressed word is dangerous.
Focus not on doing less or doing more but on doing what you value.
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