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About this quote

What does it mean?
Emerson suggests that heroism relies on instinct and feeling rather than logic, making it inherently correct in its actions.
In plain terms
Heroes act on feelings rather than reason, and this makes them right.
What can you take from it?
Trust your instincts in moments requiring courage.

Where it applies

  • crisis
  • ethical dilemmas
  • standing up for beliefs

Putting it to work

  • act on conscience
  • practice courage

Questions to consider

  • When did you trust your gut?
  • Is instinct always right?

Another view

Sometimes reason is needed to avoid harmful mistakes.

More from Ralph Waldo Emerson

  1. The ancestor of every action is a thought.

    Permalink to quote #71
  2. It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, - 'Always do what you are afraid to do.'

    Permalink to quote #73
  3. And what fastens attention, in the intercourse of life, like any passage betraying affection between two parties? Perhaps we never saw them before, and never s…

    Permalink to quote #70

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