--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Speak the affirmative; emphasize your…" description: "\"Speak the affirmative; emphasize your choice by utter ignoring of all that you reject.\" — Ralph Waldo Emerson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_affirmative_speak-the-affirmative-emphasize-your-cho_2329068.png" --- # Speak the affirmative; emphasize your choice by utter… ![“Speak the affirmative; emphasize your choice by utter ignoring of all that you reject.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_affirmative_speak-the-affirmative-emphasize-your-cho_2329068.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_affirmative_speak-the-affirmative-emphasize-your-cho_2329068.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_affirmative_speak-the-affirmative-emphasize-your-cho_2329068.png) > “Speak the affirmative; emphasize your choice by utter ignoring of all that you reject.” [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. Advocates bold affirmation and rejecting negativity to strengthen personal resolve. **In simple terms:** Choose affirmatively, ignore rejection. Key Takeaway Embrace positive choices. Themes self‑confidence assertion mindset Mood determined assertive Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - public speaking - decision making - personal branding - conflict resolution Key Concepts personal agency psychology willpower Questions to Reflect On - How does ignoring dissent affect relationships? - When is selective hearing harmful? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on denial can alienate others. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affirmative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirmative/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism/) ## Related quotes > [In the end, arguing about affirmative action in selective colleges is like arguing about the size of a spigot while ignoring the pool and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-liu/in-the-end-arguing-about-affirmative-action-in-selective-colleges-is/) [Eric Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-liu/) > [The new statement will comprise the skepticisms, as well as the faiths of society, and out of unbeliefs a creed shall be formed. For,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-new-statement-will-comprise-the-skepticisms-as-well-as-the-faiths/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The affirmative of affirmatives... is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-affirmative-of-affirmatives-is-love/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The affirmative class monopolize the homage of mankind. They originate and execute all the great feats. What a force was coiled upin the skull…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-affirmative-class-monopolize-the-homage-of-mankind-they-originate/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Truly speaking, it is not instruction, but provocation, that I can receive from another soul. What he announces, I must find true in me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/truly-speaking-it-is-not-instruction-but-provocation-that-i-can/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [It has been proven now scientifically that, an affirmative thought is hundreds of times more powerful than a negative thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beckwith/it-has-been-proven-now-scientifically-that-an-affirmative-thought-is/) [Michael Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beckwith/) > [If Barack Obama believes there are no victims in U.S, then I assume he'll shut down all the civil rights offices throughout the federal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/if-barack-obama-believes-there-are-no-victims-in-u-s-then-i-assume-he/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Donald Trump has done more for getting people to understand the importance of public policy that respond to public needs in an affirmative way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barney-frank/donald-trump-has-done-more-for-getting-people-to-understand-the/) [Barney Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barney-frank/) > [Who knows what Yale thought it was getting when it hired Richard Rodriguez? The people who offered me the job thought there was nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rodriguez/who-knows-what-yale-thought-it-was-getting-when-it-hired-richard/) [Richard Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rodriguez/) > [My decision was sparked by affirmative action. There was a point in my life when affirmative action would have meant something to me -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rodriguez/my-decision-was-sparked-by-affirmative-action-there-was-a-point-in-my/) [Richard Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rodriguez/) > [The need of black conservatives to gain the respect of their white peers deeply shapes certain elements of their conservatism. In this regard, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/the-need-of-black-conservatives-to-gain-the-respect-of-their-white/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [I read American sagas (of the west) and I do not see people who went in search of material things. I see people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/i-read-american-sagas-of-the-west-and-i-do-not-see-people-who-went-in/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [Affirmative action was designed to recognize the uniquely difficult journey of African-Americans. This policy was justifiable and understandable, even to those who came from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-webb/affirmative-action-was-designed-to-recognize-the-uniquely-difficult/) [Jim Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-webb/) > [Without application of the mind; there is no drive for taking affirmative action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-mercado/without-application-of-the-mind-there-is-no-drive-for-taking/) [Joseph Mercado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-mercado/) > [The fact is that in too many parts of our country, we still have discrimination. And affirmative action is not just something that applies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/the-fact-is-that-in-too-many-parts-of-our-country-we-still-have/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) ## 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 Affirmative quotes > [The fact is that in too many parts of our country, we still have discrimination. And affirmative action is not just something that applies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/the-fact-is-that-in-too-many-parts-of-our-country-we-still-have/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [Without application of the mind; there is no drive for taking affirmative action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-mercado/without-application-of-the-mind-there-is-no-drive-for-taking/) [Joseph Mercado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-mercado/) > [Affirmative action was designed to recognize the uniquely difficult journey of African-Americans. This policy was justifiable and understandable, even to those who came from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-webb/affirmative-action-was-designed-to-recognize-the-uniquely-difficult/) [Jim Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-webb/) > [I read American sagas (of the west) and I do not see people who went in search of material things. I see people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/i-read-american-sagas-of-the-west-and-i-do-not-see-people-who-went-in/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [The need of black conservatives to gain the respect of their white peers deeply shapes certain elements of their conservatism. In this regard, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/the-need-of-black-conservatives-to-gain-the-respect-of-their-white/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [My decision was sparked by affirmative action. There was a point in my life when affirmative action would have meant something to me -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rodriguez/my-decision-was-sparked-by-affirmative-action-there-was-a-point-in-my/) [Richard Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rodriguez/) > [Who knows what Yale thought it was getting when it hired Richard Rodriguez? The people who offered me the job thought there was nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rodriguez/who-knows-what-yale-thought-it-was-getting-when-it-hired-richard/) [Richard Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rodriguez/) > [Donald Trump has done more for getting people to understand the importance of public policy that respond to public needs in an affirmative way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barney-frank/donald-trump-has-done-more-for-getting-people-to-understand-the/) [Barney Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barney-frank/) > [If Barack Obama believes there are no victims in U.S, then I assume he'll shut down all the civil rights offices throughout the federal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/if-barack-obama-believes-there-are-no-victims-in-u-s-then-i-assume-he/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [It has been proven now scientifically that, an affirmative thought is hundreds of times more powerful than a negative thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beckwith/it-has-been-proven-now-scientifically-that-an-affirmative-thought-is/) [Michael Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beckwith/) > [The purpose of affirmative action is to give our nation a way to finally address the systemic exclusion of individuals of talent on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/the-purpose-of-affirmative-action-is-to-give-our-nation-a-way-to/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [Affirmative action has a negative effect on our society when it means counting us like so many beans and dividing us into separate piles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/affirmative-action-has-a-negative-effect-on-our-society-when-it-means/) [John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/) > [I answer in the affirmative with an emphatic 'No.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/i-answer-in-the-affirmative-with-an-emphatic-no/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [Quality of life is the sum total of the fairness of our tax structure; the caliber of our homes; the cleanliness of our air…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-mccall/quality-of-life-is-the-sum-total-of-the-fairness-of-our-tax-structure/) [Tom McCall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-mccall/) > [I suppose I was dying again, so I asked the Lord of Permanent Affection for the strength to live the day. Clearly, the answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/i-suppose-i-was-dying-again-so-i-asked-the-lord-of-permanent/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 216 Affirmative quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirmative/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Speak the affirmative; emphasize your choice by utter ignoring of all that you reject.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/speak-the-affirmative-emphasize-your-choice-by-utter-ignoring-of-all/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Affirmative" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/speak-the-affirmative-emphasize-your-choice-by-utter-ignoring-of-all/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_affirmative_speak-the-affirmative-emphasize-your-cho_2329068.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_affirmative_speak-the-affirmative-emphasize-your-cho_2329068.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_affirmative_speak-the-affirmative-emphasize-your-cho_2329068.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Speak the affirmative; emphasize your choice by utter ignoring of all that you reject.” — 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": "Speak the affirmative; emphasize your choice...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/speak-the-affirmative-emphasize-your-choice-by-utter-ignoring-of-all/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/speak-the-affirmative-emphasize-your-choice-by-utter-ignoring-of-all/#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 } } ] } ```