“Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood. Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton , and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.”
What this quote means
This quote by Emerson comforts all who feel misunderstood. It reminds us that the greatest minds in history were often rejected by their contemporaries. Being misunderstood can be a sign that one thinks ahead of their time or follows an inner truth. It invites us to persevere in our convictions, even in the face of opposition. It applies when we doubt ourselves because of others' opinions.
How to apply it daily
Recall one of your ideas or beliefs that has been criticized, and reaffirm it with confidence, drawing inspiration from great thinkers.
Reading guide
Which book should you read to discover Ralph Waldo Emerson?
Our starting point
Discovering self-reliance and independence of mind
Essays: First Series
It includes “Self-Reliance,” the essay that unlocks many quotations attributed to Emerson.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Reading time
- 6–8 hours
- Formats to compare
- Print · Ebook · Audio
Merchant links help compare editions. Recommendations are editorially independent.
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