Whoever would be a man must be a nonconformist.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
Whoever would be a man must be a nonconformist.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
What it means
Growing up means deciding for yourself instead of copying the crowd. Emerson is not asking you to be contrary for its own sake. He is asking you to check each custom against your own judgment before you follow it.
The source
"Whoever would be a man must be a nonconformist." Ralph Waldo Emerson said it in Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841). Written in English: Essays: First Series, 1841.
"Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist."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 "Whoever would be a man must be a nonconformist." mean?
- Growing up means deciding for yourself instead of copying the crowd. Emerson is not asking you to be contrary for its own sake. He is asking you to check each custom against your own judgment before you follow it.
- Who said "Whoever would be a man must be a nonconformist."?
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882). Source: Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841).
- What is the original wording?
- Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist (Original English (Essays: First Series, 1841)). Written in English: Essays: First Series, 1841.
- Is "Whoever would be a man must be a nonconformist." on a shirt?
- Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.
Cite this line
"Whoever would be a man must be a nonconformist." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841), trans. Original English (Essays: First Series, 1841)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/whoever-would-be-a-man-must-be-a
Filed under Quotes about character.
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More from Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Trust yourself. Every heart vibrates to that iron string.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
- Nothing is sacred but the integrity of your own mind.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
- To be great is to be misunderstood.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
- Insist on yourself. Never imitate.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
- Envy is ignorance. Imitation is suicide.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
- Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)