Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.
Interpretation
Consideration fosters wisdom and strengthens our sense of duty.
In this quote, Emerson emphasizes the importance of consideration as a fundamental element that nurtures wisdom and promotes the fulfillment of our responsibilities. By treating others and our duties with careful thought and reflection, we create an environment where wisdom can flourish and where we can find the strength to meet our obligations effectively.
In practice
You could use this quote during a motivational speech at a seminar on leadership.
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?
No one is perfect. Your ERA is not zero. You're not going to have 30 wins. And your batting average isn't going to be 1.000. So you don't have the right to verbally talk out about somebody. Look at yourself. Did you do everything you could do? Did you start your day off right? Are you perfect?
Let's tell the truth to people. When people ask, 'How are you?' have the nerve sometimes to answer truthfully. You must know, however, that people will start avaoiding you because, they, too, have knees that pain them and heads that hurt and they don't want to know about yours. But think of it this way: If people avoid you, you will have more time to meditate and do fine research on a cure for whatever truly afflicts you.
Associate with the noblest people you can find; read the best books; live with the mighty; but learn to be happy alone.
Be grateful for your difficulties and challenges, for they hold blessings. In fact... Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health personal growth, individuation and self-actualisation.
He who acknowledges a kindness has it still, and he who has a grateful sense of it has requited it.
I became acquainted with those martyrs whose behavior in camp, whose suffering and death, bore witness to the fact that the last inner freedom cannot be lost.
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