A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Self-Reliance
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As I recall, Emerson goes on to describe how the great man/mind heartily believes one thing one day, and as fervently defends the logical (or moral) opposite the next. Logic and consistency don't matter; metaphysical inspiration derived from nature does.
Of course, if the logical outcome of one's position lead to an obviously untenable place, it may be time to question one's underlying presuppositions, but one wonders whether Emerson expected his hearers and readers to take him seriously … or if he expected to be be seen as alternately as sinner and saint, sage and fool, guide and useless distraction.
But we remember Emerson for his finer moments.