--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He who would be a man must therefore be a…" description: "\"He who would be a man must therefore be a non-conformist.\" — Ralph Waldo Emerson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_conformist_he-who-would-be-a-man-must-therefore-be_1522471.png" --- # He who would be a man must therefore be a non-conformist. ![“He who would be a man must therefore be a non-conformist.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_conformist_he-who-would-be-a-man-must-therefore-be_1522471.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_conformist_he-who-would-be-a-man-must-therefore-be_1522471.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_conformist_he-who-would-be-a-man-must-therefore-be_1522471.png) > “He who would be a man must therefore be a non-conformist.” [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. Being a true individual requires rejecting societal expectations and forging one's own path. **In simple terms:** To be yourself, reject conformity. Key Takeaway Embrace non‑conformity. Themes individualism authenticity rebellion Mood defiant inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career choices - artistic expression - political activism - personal branding Key Concepts self‑reliance existentialism Questions to Reflect On - What does being a non‑conformist mean to you? - How do you balance individuality with community? A Different Perspective Non‑conformity can lead to isolation or conflict with norms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conformist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformist/) [Conventionality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conventionality/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Non conformist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-conformist/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/whoso-would-be-a-man-must-be-a-nonconformist/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [You can’t be a non-conformist if you don’t wear the proper uniform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-l-chalker/you-can-t-be-a-non-conformist-if-you-don-t-wear-the-proper-uniform/) [Jack L. Chalker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-l-chalker/) > [My prodigious sin was, and still is, being a non-conformist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/my-prodigious-sin-was-and-still-is-being-a-non-conformist/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [I don't think playing it safe constitutes a retreat, necessarily. In other words, I don't think if, by playing safe he means we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-serling/i-don-t-think-playing-it-safe-constitutes-a-retreat-necessarily-in/) [Rod Serling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-serling/) > [If children were brought up to become non-conformists it would only ruin their lives. So parents all over China who loved their children told…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jung-chang/if-children-were-brought-up-to-become-non-conformists-it-would-only/) [Jung Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jung-chang/) > [A free society cherishes nonconformity. It knows from the non-conformist, from the eccentric, have come many of the great ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-steele-commager/a-free-society-cherishes-nonconformity-it-knows-from-the-non/) [Henry Steele Commager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-steele-commager/) > [Why is it that all non-conformists look the same?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-corgan/why-is-it-that-all-non-conformists-look-the-same/) [Billy Corgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-corgan/) > [I learned the word non-conformist in fourth grade and immediately announced that I would grow up to become one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-learned-the-word-non-conformist-in-fourth-grade-and-immediately/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [All my close friends are non-conformist. To say 'misfits' sounds bad, but there is something positive about being a little on the outside -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-renck/all-my-close-friends-are-non-conformist-to-say-misfits-sounds-bad-but/) [Johan Renck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-renck/) > [(...the non-conformist, how do you keep from getting scarred?)/i don’t! i got a scar here…and uh i got a scar on my knee…and uh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlon-brando/the-non-conformist-how-do-you-keep-from-getting-scarred-i-don-t-i-got/) [Marlon Brando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlon-brando/) > [I feel like, in many ways, Billie Holiday's still very under-appreciated as an artist. People focus on her voice, and all of the very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-james/i-feel-like-in-many-ways-billie-holiday-s-still-very-under/) [Jose James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-james/) > [A non-conformist will never feel like he's any part of a clique or a group. And that's the life I signed up for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harshvardhan-kapoor/a-non-conformist-will-never-feel-like-he-s-any-part-of-a-clique-or-a/) [Harshvardhan Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harshvardhan-kapoor/) > [Woe to him inside a non-conformist clique who does not conform to non-conformity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/woe-to-him-inside-a-non-conformist-clique-who-does-not-conform-to-non/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [It's the non-conformist who gives color to history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-fuldheim/it-s-the-non-conformist-who-gives-color-to-history/) [Dorothy Fuldheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-fuldheim/) > [The American people...have a stake in non-conformity. For they know that the American genius is non-conformist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-steele-commager/the-american-people-have-a-stake-in-non-conformity-for-they-know-that/) [Henry Steele Commager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-steele-commager/) ## 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 Conformist quotes > [Today it is the skeptics who are the social conformists, though because of powerful intellectual propaganda they continue to enjoy thinking of themselves as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/today-it-is-the-skeptics-who-are-the-social-conformists-though/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Education, for most people, means trying to lead the child to resemble the typical adult of his society . . . but for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/education-for-most-people-means-trying-to-lead-the-child-to-resemble/) [Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/) > [While my dad is a rebel at heart, I am a conformist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivaan-shah/while-my-dad-is-a-rebel-at-heart-i-am-a-conformist/) [Vivaan Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivaan-shah/) > [Our legal system, including the police, is anti-Dalit and anti-poor. The death penalty laws' wrathful majesty, in blood-shot equality, deals the fatal blow on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-r-krishna-iyer/our-legal-system-including-the-police-is-anti-dalit-and-anti-poor-the/) [V. R. Krishna Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-r-krishna-iyer/) > [Only conformists are ever adored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-breillat/only-conformists-are-ever-adored/) [Catherine Breillat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-breillat/) > [The American people...have a stake in non-conformity. For they know that the American genius is non-conformist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-steele-commager/the-american-people-have-a-stake-in-non-conformity-for-they-know-that/) [Henry Steele Commager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-steele-commager/) > [The first step in freeing yourself from social restrictions is the realization that there is no such thing as a safe code of conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-browne/the-first-step-in-freeing-yourself-from-social-restrictions-is-the/) [Harry Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-browne/) > [I think it killed my sister as the times she was living in were so conformist. This is a subject I really want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-think-it-killed-my-sister-as-the-times-she-was-living-in-were-so/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [Not long ago, a hat was a conformist accessory. Then the 1960s came along, and young people didn't want to wear hats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-treacy/not-long-ago-a-hat-was-a-conformist-accessory-then-the-1960s-came/) [Philip Treacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-treacy/) > [It's the non-conformist who gives color to history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-fuldheim/it-s-the-non-conformist-who-gives-color-to-history/) [Dorothy Fuldheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-fuldheim/) > [“Mom and Dad liked to make a big point about never surrendering to fear or to prejudice or to the narrow-minded conformist sticks-in-the-mud who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/mom-and-dad-liked-to-make-a-big-point-about-never-surrendering-to/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [Woe to him inside a non-conformist clique who does not conform to non-conformity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/woe-to-him-inside-a-non-conformist-clique-who-does-not-conform-to-non/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Schools are generally feminine places, institutions where conformity is valued, taught largely by conformist women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-m-bardwick/schools-are-generally-feminine-places-institutions-where-conformity/) [Judith M Bardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-m-bardwick/) > [The courage to be as oneself within the atmosphere of Enlightenment is the courage to affirm oneself as a bridge from a lower to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-courage-to-be-as-oneself-within-the-atmosphere-of-enlightenment/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [ \[F\]or the most part football these days is the opium of the people, not to speak of their crack cocaine. Its icon is the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/f-or-the-most-part-football-these-days-is-the-opium-of-the-people-not/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) [Browse all 143 Conformist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He who would be a man must therefore be a non-conformist.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/he-who-would-be-a-man-must-therefore-be-a-non-conformist/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Conformist" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/he-who-would-be-a-man-must-therefore-be-a-non-conformist/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_conformist_he-who-would-be-a-man-must-therefore-be_1522471.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_conformist_he-who-would-be-a-man-must-therefore-be_1522471.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_conformist_he-who-would-be-a-man-must-therefore-be_1522471.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He who would be a man must therefore be a non-conformist.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "He who would be a man...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/he-who-would-be-a-man-must-therefore-be-a-non-conformist/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/he-who-would-be-a-man-must-therefore-be-a-non-conformist/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```