When Ralph Waldo Emerson said 'A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds' what did he mean?

Answer 1

Emerson meant that only small-minded people would be so foolish as to refuse to change a customary practice, or way of looking at things, simply because "We have always done it this way!" even if a change might be beneficial -- perhaps cheaper, fairer, more effective, or more in keeping with objective evidence. (One use of the word "hobgoblin" in Emerson's time was to denote a concept or entity that induced in some people fear or distress out of proportion to its actual importance.)

Answer:This quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, from his essay, Self-Reliance:

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.

Emerson believed that people need to stop foolishly following everyone else, and become self-reliant. To break it down into plain English:

"Foolish consistency" - doing something the same way over and over without a good reason

"hobgoblin" - a monster or demon or, in this case, it means the thing that trips you up

"little minds" - people who cannot think logically and rationally

"little statesmen and philosophers and divines" - small-minded politicians, philosophers, and church officials

Thus, following rules without reasons is the thing which hampers small-minded people. Those who make it their business to control others beliefs, especially those mentioned by Emerson, encourage the foolish consistencies in those people they wish to control.

Answer 2

Emerson meant that blindly adhering to consistency without considering new information or circumstances can limit one's growth and intelligence. He believed that true wisdom involves being open-minded and willing to adapt one's views based on experience and reason.

Answer 3

Basically, he means that little minds are afraid to think "outside the box." They are consistent in what they think and do which is usually the same thing the person before them did. Great ideas come from being fearless--from not being afraid of what people might say or of what you might accomplish.