Careful Words

consistency (n.)

  A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882): Essays. First Series. Self-Reliance.

Consistency, thou art a jewel.

Gineral C. is a dreffle smart man;

He's ben on all sides thet give places or pelf;

But consistency still wuz a part of his plan,—

He's ben true to one party, an' thet is himself.

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891): The Biglow Papers. First Series. No. ii.