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• n  (folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings
• n  an object of dread or apprehension
  A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds"--Ralph Waldo Emerson

• Ralph Waldo Emerson said, 'consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
• Romney's judgment has never been noticeably clouded by the hobgoblin of little minds.
• A foolish consistency remains the hobgoblin of little minds.

• goblin
• hob
• bugbear

News & Articles

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• 2013 Lexus GX 460 Test Drive And Review: Driving With The Hobgoblin
  A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, or so said Ralph Waldo Emerson. I'm faced with this hobgoblin: I have always liked the Lexus GX, and I have made no bones about saying so - but now I'm doubting whether or not this consistency stands between me and true objectivity. The 2013 Lexus GX 460 returns unchanged from 2012, which was unchanged from 2011, the last time I reviewed ...
  June 14, 2013 - Forbes

Quotes

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• Butch Otter in Twin Falls Times-News
  He (Emerson) said 'A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds,Otter told the crowd of teachers, lawmakers and business people. "It does make sense."
• Gary Schmidt in MLive.com
  Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,Schmidt says with a grin, quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson, the guy they'll be talking about today.