“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”
Emerson
“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”
Wilde
Two of my favorite minds – but what demands consistency? What demands parting ways and choosing the road less traveled? Why do most choose to settle and yet some “Rage, rage against the dying of the light”?
The reward – “know thyself” a Delphic Maxim – pay no attention to the multitude.
Or as my old Latin Prof would say in his heavy German accent – nosce te ipsum! – repeat – nosce te ipsum – repeat…
and then I would repeat in heavy German accent – nosce te ipsum – and everyone (including Dr. Positch) would laugh.
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so many thoughts…
“the *last* refuge” – there’s a first?
“but what demands consistency?” what does –
“what demands parting ways…” (the utilization of one’s cerebrum? – hmm)
“Rage, rage against the dying of the light” – my life…
“Know thyself” – “The unexamined life…” – gotta love those Greeks –
(And I would love to hear your heavy German accent – )
p.s. loved this
Reblogged this on shift and commented:
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.” — Emerson
“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” — Wilde
In this excellent post, my friend Hoss tackles a question I’ve often asked myself. “Why do most choose to settle and yet some ‘Rage, rage against the dying of the light’?”
I never reblog, so . . . Check it out!
Thanks Jess –
Yes, lovely simple reminders of a consistent disposition toward “Raging, rage against the dying of the light”? I almost never go to bed until I cannot stay up anymore or the hours are so few that it would make me too tired to work. And in this light, I am known to myself because I follow words. I am consistent however in my day job, because there is beauty there too. My publisher said, “This job provides misery and with that you can write.”
“This job provides misery and with that you can write.”
You have a brilliant publisher – I can adapt that to where I live!
“This ranch provides misery and with that you can write.” thanks….
Yes, this publisher is brilliant. You should hear him speak. Every word he utters is a dreamscape of beauty and peace.
Awesome
I’ve always said that those who are truly authentic are rarely consistent.
Wilde had a way of saying things better and more imaginatively than anyone else ever could have, and it would be hard to find a person more uniquely authentic in the annals of literary history. A quote from him usually equals several from others.
A great post!
Thanks – and I agree Wilde – aptly named with or without the “e”