Speak what you think now, in hard words.

What it means

Say plainly what you believe today, even if tomorrow you see it differently. Emerson prefers honest change to fake consistency. Fear of looking inconsistent should never keep you vague.

The source

"Speak what you think now, in hard words." Ralph Waldo Emerson said it in Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841). Written in English: Essays: First Series, 1841.

"Speak what you think now in hard words and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day."

Original English (Essays: First Series, 1841), Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841). Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882). American essayist and lecturer who led the Transcendentalists. His lines here come from Nature, Self-Reliance and his Essays.

Questions

What does "Speak what you think now, in hard words." mean?

Say plainly what you believe today, even if tomorrow you see it differently. Emerson prefers honest change to fake consistency. Fear of looking inconsistent should never keep you vague.

Who said "Speak what you think now, in hard words."?

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882). Source: Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841).

What is the original wording?

Speak what you think now in hard words and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day (Original English (Essays: First Series, 1841)). Written in English: Essays: First Series, 1841.

Is "Speak what you think now, in hard words." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Speak what you think now, in hard words." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841), trans. Original English (Essays: First Series, 1841)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/speak-what-you-think-now-in-hard-words