--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every individual man has a bias which he…" description: "\"Every individual man has a bias which he must obey, and...it is only as he feels and obeys this that he rightly develops and attains his legitimate pow..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bias_every-individual-man-has-a-bias-which-he_2907262.png" --- # Every individual man has a bias which he must obey… ![“Every individual man has a bias which he must obey, and...it is only as he feels and obeys this that he rightly develops and attains his legitimate power in the world. It is his magnetic needle, which points always in one direction to his proper path… He is never happy nor strong until he finds…” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bias_every-individual-man-has-a-bias-which-he_2907262.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bias_every-individual-man-has-a-bias-which-he_2907262.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bias_every-individual-man-has-a-bias-which-he_2907262.png) > “Every individual man has a bias which he must obey, and...it is only as he feels and obeys this that he rightly develops and attains his legitimate power in the world. It is his magnetic needle, which points always in one direction to his proper path… He is never happy nor strong until he finds it, keeps it.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Each person must follow their inner conviction to develop true power and purpose. **In simple terms:** Follow your inner guide to gain real strength. Key Takeaway Trust your inner compass. Themes individualism purpose power Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career decisions - personal growth - leadership - spiritual practice Key Concepts self‑reliance authenticity magnetism Questions to Reflect On - What inner conviction guides you? - How do you recognize when you’re off course? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on external validation can derail inner direction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bias/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [A man without a bias cannot write interesting history - if indeed such a man exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/a-man-without-a-bias-cannot-write-interesting-history-if-indeed-such/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The eye obeys exactly the action of the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-eye-obeys-exactly-the-action-of-the-mind/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Power obeys reality, and not appearances; power is according to quality, and not quantity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/power-obeys-reality-and-not-appearances-power-is-according-to-quality/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [ \[O\]ur rules can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/o-ur-rules-can-have-authority-over-such-natural-rights-only-as-we/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Respect for sovereignty means to not allow unconstitutional action and coup d'états, the removal of legitimate power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/respect-for-sovereignty-means-to-not-allow-unconstitutional-action/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-legitimate-powers-of-government-extend-to-such-acts-only-as-are-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The error seems not sufficiently eradicated, that the operations of the mind, as well as the acts of the body, are subject to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-error-seems-not-sufficiently-eradicated-that-the-operations-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/congress-shall-make-no-law-respecting-an-establishment-of-religion-or-3/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-legitimate-powers-of-government-extend-to-such-acts-only-as-are/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-rulers-can-have-authority-over-such-natural-rights-only-as-we/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Once the Afghan people vote and they choose their President with direct, secret ballot from all over the country, there will be a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamid-karzai/once-the-afghan-people-vote-and-they-choose-their-president-with/) [Hamid Karzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamid-karzai/) > [No man is much good unless he believes in God and obeys His laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-baden-powell/no-man-is-much-good-unless-he-believes-in-god-and-obeys-his-laws/) [Robert Baden-Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-baden-powell/) > [“The truth is that so long as we hold both sides of the proposition together they contain nothing inconsistent with right belief, but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-truth-is-that-so-long-as-we-hold-both-sides-of-the-proposition/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Do not judge others. Do to others what you would have them do to you. Whoever obeys is like a man who built his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-judge-others-do-to-others-what-you-would-have-them-do-to-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [John 14:21) Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goddey-wilson/john-14-21-whoever-has-my-commands-and-obeys-them-he-is-the-one-who/) [GODDEY WILSON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goddey-wilson/) ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More Bias quotes > [The print is devised so that I can cut the dresses on the bias, so they work around the body. It's not like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-galliano/the-print-is-devised-so-that-i-can-cut-the-dresses-on-the-bias-so/) [John Galliano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-galliano/) > [“Mental illness is not something you misunderstand in this era. Get educated because bias is no different than racism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/mental-illness-is-not-something-you-misunderstand-in-this-era-get/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > ["Natural" is a very dangerous word to use about sexuality ... Our society's notions of normality are completely fake and meta-trendy, since they rely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susie-bright/natural-is-a-very-dangerous-word-to-use-about-sexuality-our-society-s/) [Susie Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susie-bright/) > [Science manipulates things and gives up living in them. It makes its own limited models of things; operating upon these indices or variables to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-merleau-ponty/science-manipulates-things-and-gives-up-living-in-them-it-makes-its/) [Maurice Merleau-Ponty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-merleau-ponty/) > [Fortunately for serious minds, a bias recognized is a bias sterilized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-haydon/fortunately-for-serious-minds-a-bias-recognized-is-a-bias-sterilized/) [Benjamin Haydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-haydon/) > [I can say this very clearly: I have come into this Congress with an antiwar bias.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-frankel/i-can-say-this-very-clearly-i-have-come-into-this-congress-with-an/) [Lois Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-frankel/) > [The legal bias for special protection for women has begun to wreak havoc with the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/the-legal-bias-for-special-protection-for-women-has-begun-to-wreak/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [That's awesome. There's no bias in the media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-edwards/that-s-awesome-there-s-no-bias-in-the-media/) [Carl Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-edwards/) > [“The most disgusting human trait is bias, because it typically leads to propaganda, hate and violence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-lifsey/the-most-disgusting-human-trait-is-bias-because-it-typically-leads-to/) [Lori Lifsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-lifsey/) > [I'm speaking out against social media bias.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-loomer/i-m-speaking-out-against-social-media-bias/) [Laura Loomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-loomer/) > [“I pick up a copy of Newsweek on the plane and immediately notice how biased, slanted, and opinionated all the U.S. newsmagazine articles are.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-byrne/i-pick-up-a-copy-of-newsweek-on-the-plane-and-immediately-notice-how/) [David Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-byrne/) > [“Hundreds of studies confirm that human forecasts are flawed and biased. Human decision making is not so great either. Again to take just one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-h-thaler/hundreds-of-studies-confirm-that-human-forecasts-are-flawed-and/) [Richard H. Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-h-thaler/) > [“Many journalists now are no more than channelers and echoers of what George Orwell called the 'official truth'. They simply cipher and transmit lies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-pilger/many-journalists-now-are-no-more-than-channelers-and-echoers-of-what/) [John Pilger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-pilger/) > [The stance I took was there is no room for racial bias anywhere in sports. I believe that was basically all I said about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-larkin/the-stance-i-took-was-there-is-no-room-for-racial-bias-anywhere-in/) [Barry Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-larkin/) > [First and foremost, if you want to be a good writer, you need to be a good eater. You need to be fearless when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-leong/first-and-foremost-if-you-want-to-be-a-good-writer-you-need-to-be-a/) [Melissa Leong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-leong/) [Browse all 667 Bias quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bias/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Every individual man has a bias which he must obey, and...it is only as he feels and obeys this that he rightly develops and attains his legitimate power in the world. 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