Consistency

Most of us know Emerson’s quote “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” It sounds profound. The key word, however, is not “consistency” but “foolish.” You can replace consistency with almost any other noun – even “inconsistency” – and the quote sounds pretty much the same .

My question would be is “consistency” ever not foolish? Consistency is usually only valid for a given time and given conditions. As an example one can go out in New York City on any clear warm summer afternoon without coat or umbrella. Doing so in a blizzard would indeed be foolish Those who try to root their inconsistency in religious certitude – hardcore morality or “age-old values” for example – are the most foolish among us. For all the evils of being too “relativistically” oriented it is in fact our adaptability that has made us masters of the planet .

In a less grandiose vein, it is those who adapt well as conditions change _ presenting new problems and opportunities – who are most successful in life. Consistency is a highly overrated virtue .

Americans’ national foolishness is to overly admire consistency in the views of politicians. Anyone who cannot react well to changed circumstance is hardly qualified to be a leader. Yet we think being so rigid as to be almost insane is a fine qualification. Foolish anything is a hobgoblin of minds little and big as well .