Ralph Waldo Emerson's Universal Principles
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s maxims encompass a universal theme. It can be concluded according to these maxims that Emerson believed in the importance of individuality in a society that values conformity. For example, the maxim, “Speak your latent conviction, and it shall be the universal sense,” illustrates Emerson’s belief in society’s willingness to conform to a novel idea, as well as the strength of the individual to influence. Another maxim, “The foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines,” alludes to Emerson’s view of society as a mindless group that will accept any idea as their own. However, the maxim also shows that society will listen to the politicians, philosophers, and