Another good quote along those lines is "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines." Ralph Waldo Emerson. http://www.bartleby.com/100/420.47.html
The correct quote is "a foolish consistency." And the context of the quote has nothing to do with self-discipline. It is a call to boldly speak the truth today, and then boldly do the same tomorrow. If you contradict yourself, then so be it. The truth might not be found in only making logically consistent statements. "To be great is to be misunderstood."
This is a very fluid and chaotic situation so I'd be more concerned if he said one thing and stuck to it
When the Facts Change, I Change My Mind. What Do You Do, Sir?
- John Maynard Keynes
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
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Do I contradict myself? / Very well then, I contradict myself. / (I am large, I contain multitudes)
- Walt Whitman's “Song of Myself”
Didn't quite get the connection here. Care to elaborate? :)
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