--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The other terror that scares us from…" description: "\"“The other terror that scares us from self-trust is our consistency; a reverence for our past act or word, because the eyes of others have no other dat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50f/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_contradict_the-other-terror-that-scares-us-from-sel_3121298.png" --- # The other terror that scares us from self-trust is our… ![“The other terror that scares us from self-trust is our consistency; a reverence for our past act or word, because the eyes of others have no other data for computing our orbit than our past acts, and we are loath to disappoint them. But why should you keep your head over your shoulder? Why drag…” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50f/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_contradict_the-other-terror-that-scares-us-from-sel_3121298.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50f/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_contradict_the-other-terror-that-scares-us-from-sel_3121298.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50f/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_contradict_the-other-terror-that-scares-us-from-sel_3121298.png) > ““The other terror that scares us from self-trust is our consistency; a reverence for our past act or word, because the eyes of others have no other data for computing our orbit than our past acts, and we are loath to disappoint them. But why should you keep your head over your shoulder? Why drag about this corpse of your memory, lest you contradict somewhat you have stated in this or that public place? Suppose you should contradict yourself; what then?”” [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. Over‑reliance on past actions and others’ judgments limits authenticity; questioning consistency frees self‑trust. **In simple terms:** Being stuck in past expectations hinders true self. Key Takeaway Question your past to regain freedom. Themes authenticity self‑trust consistency Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - public speaking - social media presence - career decisions - personal relationships Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What past belief holds you back? - How can you balance consistency with growth? A Different Perspective Changing past narratives can cause social friction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consistency Reverence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consistency-reverence-5481223/) [Contradict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradict/) [Lest Contradict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lest-contradict-5481222/) [Self reliance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-reliance/) [Self trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-trust/) [Trust Consistency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust-consistency-5481224/) ## Related quotes > [The other terror that scares us from self-trust is our consistency; a reverence for our past act or word, because the eyes of others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-other-terror-that-scares-us-from-self-trust-is-our-consistency-a-2/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Let a stoic open the resources of man, and tell men they are not leaning willows, but can and must detach themselves; that with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/let-a-stoic-open-the-resources-of-man-and-tell-men-they-are-not/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life's cultivation; but of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/insist-on-yourself-never-imitate-your-own-gift-you-can-present-every/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [She might be without country, without nation, but inside her there was still a being that could exist and be free, that could simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-maas/she-might-be-without-country-without-nation-but-inside-her-there-was/) [Sharon Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-maas/) > [Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/trust-thyself-every-heart-vibrates-to-that-iron-string/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In self-trust all the virtues are comprehended.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-self-trust-all-the-virtues-are-comprehended/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The great object of Education should be commensurate with the object of life. 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The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/society-everywhere-is-in-conspiracy-against-the-manhood-of-every-one/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## 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. 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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 Contradict quotes > [“No need to be intimidated, tesoro, but do be careful." 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