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About this quote

What does it mean?
Emerson implies that passionate emotional expression can be more effective than dry intellectual argument.
In plain terms
Sometimes showing strong feeling works better than writing a long argument.
What can you take from it?
Use emotion when logic fails.

Where it applies

  • public speaking
  • activism
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • speak with feeling
  • use examples
  • show impact

Questions to consider

  • When is emotion better?
  • Does passion convince?

Another view

Emotion without substance can lack credibility.

More from Ralph Waldo Emerson

  1. Four snakes gliding up and down a hollow for no purpose that I could see - not to eat, not for love, but only gliding.

    Permalink to quote #33
  2. Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.

    Permalink to quote #35
  3. The Religion that is afraid of science dishonours God and commits suicide. It acknowledges that it is not equal to the whole of truth, that it legislates, tyra…

    Permalink to quote #32

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