Friendship Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
““On my saying, What have I to do with the sacredness of traditions, if I live wholly from within? my friend suggested,--"But these impulses may be from below, not from above." I replied, "They do not seem to me to be such; but if I am the Devil's child, I will live then from the Devil." No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature. Good and bad are but names very readily transferable to that or this; the only right is what is after my constitution, the only wrong what is against it. A man is to carry himself in the presence of all opposition as if everything were titular and ephemeral but he. I am ashamed to think how easily we capitulate to badges and names, to large societies and dead institutions. Every decent and well-spoken individual affects and sways me more than is right. I ought to go upright and vital, and speak the rude truth in all ways.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Self-Reliance, 1841
The quote argues that personal authenticity, guided by one’s own nature, outweighs external traditions, institutions, or societal labels.
In simple terms: Live true to yourself, not to imposed traditions.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize inner nature over external authority.
Themes
authenticity
individualism
rebellion
philosophy
Mood
reflective
defiant
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal decision‑making
- leadership
- creative work
- social activism
Key Concepts
self‑reliance
existentialism
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you discern your true nature versus societal expectations?
- When might external rules be necessary?
A Different Perspective
Challenges arise when personal nature conflicts with collective norms or legal obligations.
