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About this quote

What does it mean?
Seeking safety over truth can lead to ruin; truth may require sacrifice.
In plain terms
Choosing safety over truth is dangerous.
What can you take from it?
Be willing to risk for truth.

Where it applies

  • moral dilemmas
  • speaking up
  • ethical choices

Putting it to work

  • stand up for truth
  • avoid easy choices
  • speak out

Questions to consider

  • When did you choose truth?
  • Is safety worth the cost?

Another view

Truth can come at a high personal cost.

More from Ralph Waldo Emerson

  1. Obey the voice at eve obeyed at prime.

    Permalink to quote #230
  2. For what avail the plough or sail, Or land or life, if freedom fail?

    Permalink to quote #232
  3. It is time to be old, To take in sail: - The god of bounds, Who sets to seas a shore, Came to me in his fatal rounds, And said: 'No more!

    Permalink to quote #229

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