Accord Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“I am not engaged to Christianity by decent forms, or saving ordinances; it is not usage, it is not what I do not understand, that binds me to it -- let these be the sandy foundations of falsehoods. What I revere and obey in it is its reality, its boundless charity, its deep interior life, the rest it gives to my mind, the echo it returns to my thoughts, the perfect accord it makes with my reason through all its representation of God and His Providence; and the persuasion and courage that come out thence to lead me upward and onward.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Self-Reliance, 1841
The author values personal experience and inner truth over formal religion, yet acknowledges its spiritual depth and moral guidance.
In simple terms: He trusts personal insight more than doctrine.
Key Takeaway
Seek personal truth.
Themes
spirituality
individualism
faith
reason
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- ethical decision
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
inner truth
charity
divine providence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance tradition and personal belief?
- What role does community play in faith?
A Different Perspective
Institutional religion may limit personal insight.
