Quotes With Meaning
I remember an answer which when quite young I was prompted to make to a valued adviser who was wont to importune me with the dear old doctrines of the church. On my saying, What have I to do with the sacredness of traditions, if I live wholly from within? my friend suggested--'But these impulses may be from below, not from above.' I replied, 'They do not seem to me to be such; but if I am the devil's child, I will live them from the devil.
I remember an answer which when quite young I was prompted to make to a valued adviser who was wont to importune me with the dear old doctrines of the church. On my saying, What have I to do with the sacredness of traditions, if I live wholly from within? my friend suggested--'But these impulses may be from below, not from above.' I replied, 'They do not seem to me to be such; but if I am the devil's child, I will live them from the devil.
This quote reflects Emerson's struggle between internal impulses and external traditions. He questions the relevance of established religious doctrines when one feels a deep sense of personal truth. His adviser warns that these impulses might stem from a negative place, suggesting they could lead him astray. However, Emerson asserts that if his instincts are indeed 'from below,' he would still choose to live authentically, even if that aligns him with the devil. This highlights a crucial life lesson about the importance of personal freedom and the courage to follow one's own path, regardless of societal expectations. It suggests that true growth often involves embracing one's inner voice, even when it conflicts with tradition or authority. Ultimately, it champions the idea of living authentically, for personal fulfillment is paramount.