He in whom the love of repose predominates will accept the first creed, the first philosophy, the first political party he meets – most likely his father's. He gets rest, commodity, and reputation; but he shuts the door of truth.

Ralph Waldo Emerson
About This Quote

“He in whom the love of repose predominates will accept the first creed, the first philosophy, the first political party he meets — most likely his father's.” This quote is an interesting contrast to the previous quote, particularly when you consider how it is often times for us to reject the values of our fathers and grandfathers. We are often times taught to reject convention and try our hand at something new. The problem with that is that you are often times not doing things that are congruent with your identity or convictions. You are not your father.

That is to say, there are many good things about your father but he could never be you. He could never be an example for you because he was always doing things that were not truly yours. It is important for you to remember that you can do things that truly embody who you are and what makes you happy.

Your father may have been a great man but he could not have been a great example nor guide for your life if he did not have some flaws.

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More Quotes By Ralph Waldo Emerson
  1. Love, and you shall be loved.
  2. He who is in love is wise and is becoming wiser, sees newly every time he looks at the object beloved, drawing from it with his eyes and his mind those virtues which it possesses.
  3. The Artist always has the masters in his eyes.
  4. Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
  5. It is not the length of life, but the depth.
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