Robbins Library Notes

At left: Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), engraved and published by Stephen Alonzo Schoff (1818–1904) from an original drawing by Samuel W. Rouse (1822–1901) in the possession of Charles Eliot Norton. Source: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division.

Emerson Hall, which houses the Department of Philosophy, is named after R.W. Emerson.

Good morning, readers! Happy Friday to you!

Here’s a famous quote from Emerson, over which I stumbled last week:

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall.
– Emerson, “Self-Reliance“