Accustomed Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“It is the property of the religious spirit to be the most refining of all influences. No external advantages, no culture of the tastes, no habit of command, no association with the elegant, or even depth of affection, can bestow that delicacy and that grandeur of bearing which belong only to the mind accustomed to celestial conversation,--all else is but gilt and cosmetics, beside this, as expressed in every look and gesture.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Self-Reliance, 1841
The spiritual mind refines itself beyond external influences, achieving true elegance and dignity.
In simple terms: Inner refinement surpasses outward polish.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate inner depth over superficial status.
Themes
spirituality
self‑development
authenticity
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- leadership
- creative work
- public speaking
Key Concepts
philosophy
inner refinement
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you nurture inner refinement?
- What external pressures challenge your spiritual integrity?
A Different Perspective
External validation cannot replace inner cultivation.
![“It is an observation suggested by all history, and by none more than by that of James I and his successor [Charles I], that the religious spirit, when it mingles with faction, contains in it something supernatural and unaccountable; and that, in its operations upon society, effects correspond less…” quote by David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d1/david-hume-538_history_it-is-an-observation-suggested-by-all-hi_559301.jpg)
