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?
Carpe Jugulum," read Agnes aloud. "That's... well, Carpe Diem is 'Sieze the Day,' so this means-" "Go for the throat
Our prayers run along one road and God's answers by another, and by and by they meet.
Either you're growing or you're decaying; there's no middle ground. If you're standing still, you're decaying.
They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little.
There are more fools than wise men, and even in a wise man there is more folly than wisdom.
There is indeed a certain sense of gratification when we do a good deed that gives us inward satisfaction, and a generous pride that accompanies a good conscience…These testimonies of a good conscience are pleasant; and such a natural pleasure is very beneficial to us; it is the only payment that can never fail. “On Repentance
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