Contempt Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Every heroic act measures itself by its contempt of some external good. But it finds its own success at last, and then the prudent also extol.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Self‑Reliance, 1841
Heroic deeds are judged by their disregard for external rewards, yet they eventually earn recognition and praise.
In simple terms: True heroism ignores outside praise.
Key Takeaway
Act for principle, not applause.
Themes
heroism
integrity
recognition
motivation
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- activism
- personal sacrifice
- leadership
- public service
Key Concepts
self‑reliance
virtue
social validation
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to act without seeking reward?
- Can true heroism be invisible?
A Different Perspective
Success may still depend on external approval.
![“Apart from a couple that were just having fun with the concept and making fun of [Donald] Trump - like the one we did with Keegan Michael-Key - they really are little hero narratives. The whole "Save the Day" - it's called that, specifically, for a reason - ethos is there is this heroic act called…” quote by Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/817/joss-whedon-480_concepts_apart-from-a-couple-that-were-just-havin_918769.jpg)
![“Every person of any rank in the left, from voter on up to cabinet member to elected official in the Democrat Party, has contempt. We [Republicans] are the number one enemy. And they will put aside whatever differences they have.” quote by Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08a/rush-limbaugh-28_cabinets_every-person-of-any-rank-in-the-left-fro_29974.jpg){kind=icon}