Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes

Most popular Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes

A man in the wrong may more easily be convinced than one half right. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man in the wrong may more easily be convinced than one half right.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

persuasion

Infancy conforms to nobody: all conform to it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Infancy conforms to nobody: all conform to it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

babies

Envy is ignorance. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Envy is ignorance.

ignorance envy

Genius borrows nobly. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Genius borrows nobly.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Life is our dictionary. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Life is our dictionary.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

life

Thoughts rule the world. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Thoughts rule the world.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Earth laughs in flowers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Earth laughs in flowers.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Poems

flowers laughter earth

A man is a god in ruins. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man is a god in ruins.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Nature

mankind

All mankind love a lover. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
All mankind love a lover.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

love

Reality is a sliding door. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Reality is a sliding door.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Language is fossil poetry. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Language is fossil poetry.

language

What you are comes to you. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
What you are comes to you.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
All mankind loves a lover. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
All mankind loves a lover.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Art is a jealous mistress. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Art is a jealous mistress.

art

The surest poison is time. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The surest poison is time.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

time

Money often costs too much. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Money often costs too much.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Skill to do comes of doing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Skill to do comes of doing.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The first wealth is health. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The first wealth is health.

wealth health

Invention breeds invention. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Invention breeds invention.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

invention

Hitch your wagon to a star. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Hitch your wagon to a star.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

goals aspiration

To be simple is to be great. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
To be simple is to be great.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Children are all foreigners. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Children are all foreigners.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

children

Frankness invites frankness. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Frankness invites frankness.
In dreams we are true poets. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In dreams we are true poets.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

dreams (during sleep)

We boil at different degrees. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We boil at different degrees.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

anger

Life is a search after power. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Life is a search after power.

power

A day is a miniature eternity. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A day is a miniature eternity.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thought is the seed of action. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Thought is the seed of action.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

thoughts

Our distrust is very expensive. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Our distrust is very expensive.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

trust

It is a luxury to be understood. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It is a luxury to be understood.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The essence of age is intellect. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The essence of age is intellect.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The house praises the carpenter. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The house praises the carpenter.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

praise house

Give all to love;Obey thy heart. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Give all to love;Obey thy heart.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Knowledge exists to be imparted. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Knowledge exists to be imparted.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Beauty without expression tires. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Beauty without expression tires.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The telltale body is all tongues. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The telltale body is all tongues.

body language

Whatever limits us, we call Fate. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Whatever limits us, we call Fate.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
He is only rich who owns the day. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
He is only rich who owns the day.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every hero becomes a bore at last. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every hero becomes a bore at last.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Representative Men

heroism

Be not the slave of your own past. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Be not the slave of your own past.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

the past

Every artist was first an amateur. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every artist was first an amateur.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

art

The dice of God are always loaded. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The dice of God are always loaded.

God

Self-command is the main elegance. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Self-command is the main elegance.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

elegance

Everything is the cause of itself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Everything is the cause of itself.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Whatever you do, you need courage. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Whatever you do, you need courage.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
You can not see the mountain near. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
You can not see the mountain near.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The world belongs to the energetic. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The world belongs to the energetic.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A man's library is a sort of harem. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man's library is a sort of harem.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

libraries books

So far as a man thinks, he is free. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
So far as a man thinks, he is free.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Fear always springs from ignorance. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Fear always springs from ignorance.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Emerson: Essays and Lectures

courage fear ignorance

Wise men are not wise all the time. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Wise men are not wise all the time.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
To fill the hour—that is happiness. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
To fill the hour—that is happiness.

happiness

Character is higher than intellect. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Character is higher than intellect.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Language is the archive of history. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Language is the archive of history.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
To be great is to be misunderstood. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
To be great is to be misunderstood.

greatness misunderstanding

People say law but they mean wealth. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
People say law but they mean wealth.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson The Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson

law

Life is a festival only to the wise. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Life is a festival only to the wise.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
What we call results are beginnings. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
What we call results are beginnings.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

achievement

Self-command is the main discipline. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Self-command is the main discipline.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The only reward of virtue is virtue. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The only reward of virtue is virtue.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Music causes us to think eloquently. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Music causes us to think eloquently.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The instinct of the people is right. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The instinct of the people is right.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Language is the archives of history. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Language is the archives of history.

language

We judge a man's wisdom by his hope. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We judge a man's wisdom by his hope.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pictures must not be too picturesque. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Pictures must not be too picturesque.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

art

Self-trust is the essence of heroism. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Self-trust is the essence of heroism.

trust yourself

Men are what their mothers made them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Men are what their mothers made them.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

men

Books are for nothing but to inspire. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Books are for nothing but to inspire.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson The American Scholar

inspirational

The key to every man is his thoughts. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The key to every man is his thoughts.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
We aim above the mark to hit the mark. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We aim above the mark to hit the mark.

aim high

A man of no conversation should smoke. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man of no conversation should smoke.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

habit

If a man owns land, the land owns him. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If a man owns land, the land owns him.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The only gift is a portion of thyself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The only gift is a portion of thyself.

gift

The sky is the daily bread of the eyes. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

nature eyes

Fame is proof that people are gullible. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Fame is proof that people are gullible.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

fame

Man sheds grief as his skin sheds rain. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Man sheds grief as his skin sheds rain.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

sorrow

Every man's task is his life preserver. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every man's task is his life preserver.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Fear is an instructor of great sagacity. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Fear is an instructor of great sagacity.

fear

Nobody can bring you peace but yourself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nobody can bring you peace but yourself.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

peace

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

peace

Men are respectable only as they respect. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Men are respectable only as they respect.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Knowledge is knowing that we cannot know. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Knowledge is knowing that we cannot know.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

knowledge

Wherever the truth is injured, defend it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Wherever the truth is injured, defend it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

truth

One man's justice is another's injustice. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
One man's justice is another's injustice.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

justice injustice

Grow angry slowly—there's plenty of time. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Grow angry slowly—there's plenty of time.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

anger advisory

Genius is sacrificed to talent every day. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Genius is sacrificed to talent every day.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is a happy talent to know how to play. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It is a happy talent to know how to play.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

play

Man is a piece of the universe made alive. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Man is a piece of the universe made alive.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Good manners are made of petty sacrifices. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Good manners are made of petty sacrifices.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The people are to be taken in small doses. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The people are to be taken in small doses.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Manners are the happy way of doing things. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Manners are the happy way of doing things.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

manners

The ancestor of every action is a thought. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The ancestor of every action is a thought.

action thoughts

Patience and fortitude conquer all things. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Patience and fortitude conquer all things.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The greatest gift is a portion of thyself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A man is what he thinks about all day long. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man is what he thinks about all day long.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every noble activity makes room for itself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every noble activity makes room for itself.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
If you would liberate me, you must be free. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If you would liberate me, you must be free.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Things are in the saddle,
And ride mankind. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Things are in the saddle,
And ride mankind.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Poems

possessions things

Every calamity is a spur and valuable hint. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every calamity is a spur and valuable hint.

calamity

Manners are the happy ways of doing things. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Manners are the happy ways of doing things.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

protest

The only way to have a friend is to be one. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The only way to have a friend is to be one.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

friendship

What a new face courage puts on everything! - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
What a new face courage puts on everything!
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Spiritual Aims

courage

Men only see what they are prepared to see. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Men only see what they are prepared to see.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A great man is always willing to be little. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A great man is always willing to be little.

greatness

Art is the path of the creator to his work. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Art is the path of the creator to his work.

art

A true talent delights the possessor first. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A true talent delights the possessor first.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Lectures and Biographical Sketches

talent

Nature delights in punishing stupid people. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nature delights in punishing stupid people.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

stupidity

A good intention clothes itself with power. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A good intention clothes itself with power.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Curiosity is lying in wait for every secret. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Curiosity is lying in wait for every secret.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

curiosity

The eyes indicate the antiquity of the soul. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The eyes indicate the antiquity of the soul.

eyes

It is not length of life, but depth of life. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It is not length of life, but depth of life.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

life

No facts to me are sacred; none are profane. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
No facts to me are sacred; none are profane.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
We put our love where we have put our labor. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We put our love where we have put our labor.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A good indignation makes an excellent speech. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A good indignation makes an excellent speech.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

oratory indignation

Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

manners

Great geniuses have the shortest biographies. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Great geniuses have the shortest biographies.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Each man is a hero and an oracle to somebody. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Each man is a hero and an oracle to somebody.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Cities give not the human senses room enough. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Cities give not the human senses room enough.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Science does not know its debt to imagination. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Science does not know its debt to imagination.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

science

The world is his, who has money to go over it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The world is his, who has money to go over it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
In good writing, words become one with things. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In good writing, words become one with things.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
All great speakers were bad speakers at first. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
All great speakers were bad speakers at first.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

practice oratory

If you can not be free, be as free as you can. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If you can not be free, be as free as you can.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every sweet has its sour; every evil its good. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every sweet has its sour; every evil its good.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
People only see what they are prepared to see. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
People only see what they are prepared to see.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The best part of health is a fine disposition. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The best part of health is a fine disposition.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
In self-trust all the virtues are comprehended. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In self-trust all the virtues are comprehended.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson The American Scholar

trust yourself

Genius always finds itself a century too early. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Genius always finds itself a century too early.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

genius

A little fact is worth a whole limbo of dreams. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A little fact is worth a whole limbo of dreams.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Century

facts

The years teach much which the days never knew. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The years teach much which the days never knew.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

age

It is very hard to be simple enough to be good. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It is very hard to be simple enough to be good.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A good indignation brings out all one's powers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A good indignation brings out all one's powers.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

indignation

The years teach much which the days never know. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The years teach much which the days never know.

age experience years

A creative economy is the fuel of magnificence. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A creative economy is the fuel of magnificence.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sincerity is the highest compliment you can pay. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Sincerity is the highest compliment you can pay.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

compliments sincerity

A man's fortunes are the fruit of his character. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man's fortunes are the fruit of his character.

character fortune

The faith that stands on authority is not faith. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The faith that stands on authority is not faith.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

faith

Everyone has a vocation. The talent is the call. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Everyone has a vocation. The talent is the call.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Manners make the fortune of the ambitious youth. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Manners make the fortune of the ambitious youth.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

manners

Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every man believes he has a greater possibility. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every man believes he has a greater possibility.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

ambition

Respect the child. Trespass not on his solitude. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Respect the child. Trespass not on his solitude.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Whoso would be a human must be a non-conformist. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Whoso would be a human must be a non-conformist.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every burned book or house enlightens the world. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every burned book or house enlightens the world.

censorship

Science surpasses the old miracles of mythology. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Science surpasses the old miracles of mythology.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

religion science

There is a crack in everything that God has made. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There is a crack in everything that God has made.

God

Our faith comes in moments; our vice is habitual. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Our faith comes in moments; our vice is habitual.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

faith

All my best thoughts were stolen by the ancients. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
All my best thoughts were stolen by the ancients.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

ideas

Without the rich heart, wealth is an ugly beggar. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Without the rich heart, wealth is an ugly beggar.

wealth

No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
That which befits us is cheerfulness and courage. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
That which befits us is cheerfulness and courage.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The reward of a thing well done is having done it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The reward of a thing well done is having done it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

achievement

Some natures are too good to be spoiled by praise. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Some natures are too good to be spoiled by praise.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

praise

Beauty without grace is the hook without the bait. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Beauty without grace is the hook without the bait.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
We learn geology the morning after the earthquake. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We learn geology the morning after the earthquake.

disasters crisis

Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose.

luck

All science is transcendental or else passes away. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
All science is transcendental or else passes away.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
We cannot forgive another for not being ourselves. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We cannot forgive another for not being ourselves.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A good intention clothes itself with sudden power. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A good intention clothes itself with sudden power.

intention

A man's action is only a picture-book of his creed. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man's action is only a picture-book of his creed.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

action

An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man.
No great man ever complains of want of opportunity. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
No great man ever complains of want of opportunity.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson The Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson

opportunity greatness

Life consists in what a man is thinking of all day. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Life consists in what a man is thinking of all day.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

life thinking

I trust a good deal to common fame, as we all must. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I trust a good deal to common fame, as we all must.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

ambition leadership drive enthusiasm

The reward of a thing well done is to have done it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

hard work

God enters by a private door into every individual. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
God enters by a private door into every individual.

God

To know how to suggest is the great art of teaching. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
To know how to suggest is the great art of teaching.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

teaching persuasion

Dreams wherein we often see ourselves in masquerade. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Dreams wherein we often see ourselves in masquerade.

dreams (during sleep)

Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

science

The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson The Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson

beginnings

I knew a man scared by the rustle of his own hatband. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I knew a man scared by the rustle of his own hatband.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

fear

The solar system has no anxiety about its reputation. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The solar system has no anxiety about its reputation.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Whenever you are sincerely pleased you are nourished. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Whenever you are sincerely pleased you are nourished.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Let the measure of time be spiritual, not mechanical. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Let the measure of time be spiritual, not mechanical.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every man believes that he has greater possibilities. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every man believes that he has greater possibilities.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

potential

Here's to the happy man: All the world loves a lover. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Here's to the happy man: All the world loves a lover.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

weddings love

Some books leave us free and some books make us free. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Some books leave us free and some books make us free.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

books

The greatest homage we can pay to truth is to use it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The greatest homage we can pay to truth is to use it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring.

passion

Poetry must be as new as foam, and as old as the rock. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Poetry must be as new as foam, and as old as the rock.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

poetry

There can be no high civility without a deep morality. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There can be no high civility without a deep morality.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The universe does not jest with us, but is in earnest. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The universe does not jest with us, but is in earnest.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
I like the sayers of No better than the sayers of yes. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I like the sayers of No better than the sayers of yes.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

dissent

There is creative reading as well as creative writing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There is creative reading as well as creative writing.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson The American Scholar

reading

Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

genius common sense

The secret of education lies in respecting the student. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The secret of education lies in respecting the student.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

for teachers

An action is the perfection and publication of thought. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
An action is the perfection and publication of thought.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Nature, Addresses and Lectures

action

The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

guests friendship

Every man is entitled to be valued by his best moments. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every man is entitled to be valued by his best moments.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

excellence judging

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Consistency

Everything in Nature contains all the powers of Nature. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Everything in Nature contains all the powers of Nature.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.

friendship masterpiece

Time dissipates to ether the shining angularity of fact. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Time dissipates to ether the shining angularity of fact.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The State is our neighbors; our neighbors are the State. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The State is our neighbors; our neighbors are the State.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.

trust yourself

Fine manners need the support of fine manners in others. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Fine manners need the support of fine manners in others.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

manners

Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of our science. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of our science.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

science curiosity wonder

Men cease to interest us when we find their limitations. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Men cease to interest us when we find their limitations.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
'Tis weak and vicious people who cast the blame on Fate. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
'Tis weak and vicious people who cast the blame on Fate.

blame

A man's wife has more power over him than the state has. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man's wife has more power over him than the state has.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

wife

Accept the place the divine providence has found for you. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Accept the place the divine providence has found for you.

self-acceptance

It is the wounded oyster that mends its shell with pearl. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It is the wounded oyster that mends its shell with pearl.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

adversity

Every man passes his life in the search after friendship. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every man passes his life in the search after friendship.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A true friend is somebody who can make us do what we can. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A true friend is somebody who can make us do what we can.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The question is whether it is the way out, or the way in. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The question is whether it is the way out, or the way in.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

suicide

The way to mend a bad world is to create the right world. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The way to mend a bad world is to create the right world.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
All is riddle, and the key to a riddle is another riddle. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
All is riddle, and the key to a riddle is another riddle.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The affections cannot keep their youth any more than men. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The affections cannot keep their youth any more than men.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

affection

Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nature works on a method of all for each and each for all. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nature works on a method of all for each and each for all.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

nature

If a man's eye is on the Eternal, his intellect will grow. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If a man's eye is on the Eternal, his intellect will grow.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
To different minds, the same world is a hell, and a heaven. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
To different minds, the same world is a hell, and a heaven.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The finished man of the world must eat of every apple once. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The finished man of the world must eat of every apple once.

apples

Not in one's goals but in one's transitions is a man great. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Not in one's goals but in one's transitions is a man great.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Intellect annuls fate.  So far as a man thinks, he is free. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Intellect annuls fate.  So far as a man thinks, he is free.

intellect

No change of circumstances can repair a defect of character. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
No change of circumstances can repair a defect of character.

character

When Duty whispers low, Thou must, the youth replies, I can. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
When Duty whispers low, Thou must, the youth replies, I can.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Manners require time, and nothing is more vulgar than haste. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Manners require time, and nothing is more vulgar than haste.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

manners

Work and acquire, and thou hast chained the wheel of chance. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Work and acquire, and thou hast chained the wheel of chance.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Let us be silent, that we may hear the whispers of the gods. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Let us be silent, that we may hear the whispers of the gods.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The value of a dollar is social, as it is created by society. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The value of a dollar is social, as it is created by society.

money

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.

mind

The best lightning-rod for your protection is your own spine. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The best lightning-rod for your protection is your own spine.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nature is a mutual cloud, which is always and never the same. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nature is a mutual cloud, which is always and never the same.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Who drinks of Cupid's nectar cup loveth downward, and not up. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Who drinks of Cupid's nectar cup loveth downward, and not up.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The hearing ear is always found close to the speaking tongue. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The hearing ear is always found close to the speaking tongue.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson English Traits

listening

You are trying to make that child another you; one is enough. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
You are trying to make that child another you; one is enough.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Heroism feels and never reasons and therefore is always right. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Heroism feels and never reasons and therefore is always right.

heroism

Speech is power; speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Speech is power; speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

oratory

Nothing is beneath you if it is in the direction of your life. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nothing is beneath you if it is in the direction of your life.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Politeness is the ritual of society, as prayers are of church. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Politeness is the ritual of society, as prayers are of church.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The purpose of life seems to be to acquaint a man with himself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The purpose of life seems to be to acquaint a man with himself.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

awareness

When nature has work to be done, she creates a genius to do it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
When nature has work to be done, she creates a genius to do it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

genius

A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends.

friendship growth

In the vaunted works of Art the master-stroke is Nature's part. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In the vaunted works of Art the master-stroke is Nature's part.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Progress is the activity of today and the assurance of tomorrow. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Progress is the activity of today and the assurance of tomorrow.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The finest poems of the world have been expedients to get bread. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The finest poems of the world have been expedients to get bread.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The imbecility of men is always inviting the impudence of power. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The imbecility of men is always inviting the impudence of power.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

politics power

The mob is man voluntarily descending to the nature of the beast. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The mob is man voluntarily descending to the nature of the beast.
The essence of greatness is the perception that virtue is enough. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The essence of greatness is the perception that virtue is enough.

greatness virtue

Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Within, I do not find wrinkles and used heart, but unspent youth. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Within, I do not find wrinkles and used heart, but unspent youth.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nature is no spendthrift, but takes the shortest way to her ends. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nature is no spendthrift, but takes the shortest way to her ends.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

nature

We do not count a man's years until he has nothing else to count. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We do not count a man's years until he has nothing else to count.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Money often costs too much, and power and pleasure are not cheap. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Money often costs too much, and power and pleasure are not cheap.

money

When we have arrived at the question, the answer is already near. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
When we have arrived at the question, the answer is already near.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

asking questions

We say the cows laid out Boston.  Well, there are worse surveyors. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We say the cows laid out Boston.  Well, there are worse surveyors.
The real and lasting victories are those of peace, and not of war. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The real and lasting victories are those of peace, and not of war.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

peace

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The revelation of Thought takes man out of servitude into Freedom. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The revelation of Thought takes man out of servitude into Freedom.

thinking

What I must do is all that concerns me, not what some people think. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
What I must do is all that concerns me, not what some people think.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Language is the archives of history. ... Language is fossil poetry. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Language is the archives of history. ... Language is fossil poetry.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

language

We are born believing. A man bears beliefs, as a tree bears apples. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We are born believing. A man bears beliefs, as a tree bears apples.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

beliefs

Can anyone remember when times were not hard, and money not scarce? - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Can anyone remember when times were not hard, and money not scarce?
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the highest civilization, the book is still the highest delight. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In the highest civilization, the book is still the highest delight.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

potential

Religion is as effectually destroyed by bigotry as by indifference. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Religion is as effectually destroyed by bigotry as by indifference.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

religion bigotry

The perception of the comic is a tie of sympathy with other people. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The perception of the comic is a tie of sympathy with other people.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

trust conceit

The writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

writers

A sufficient measure of civilization is the influence of good women. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A sufficient measure of civilization is the influence of good women.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

women society civilization

The good rain, like a bad preacher, does not know when to leave off. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The good rain, like a bad preacher, does not know when to leave off.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

rain

For what avail the plough or sail,
Or land or life, if freedom fail? - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
For what avail the plough or sail,
Or land or life, if freedom fail?
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

freedom

Imagination is not the talent of some men, but is the health of man. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Imagination is not the talent of some men, but is the health of man.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Before we acquire great power we must acquire wisdom to use it well. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Before we acquire great power we must acquire wisdom to use it well.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Lectures and Biographical Sketches

power

Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Wanting
The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
People do not deserve good writing, they are so pleased with the bad. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
People do not deserve good writing, they are so pleased with the bad.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.

life

Every man supposes himself not to be fully understood or appreciated. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every man supposes himself not to be fully understood or appreciated.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

appreciation

If eyes were made for seeing, then Beauty is its own excuse for being. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If eyes were made for seeing, then Beauty is its own excuse for being.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Make yourself necessary to somebody. Do not make yourself hard to any. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Make yourself necessary to somebody. Do not make yourself hard to any.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The power of a man increases steadily by continuance in one direction. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The power of a man increases steadily by continuance in one direction.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Good thoughts are no better than good dreams, unless they be executed! - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Good thoughts are no better than good dreams, unless they be executed!
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A day for toil, an hour for sport, but for a friend is life too short. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A day for toil, an hour for sport, but for a friend is life too short.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The music that can deepest reach, and cure all ill, is cordial speech. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The music that can deepest reach, and cure all ill, is cordial speech.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Life is not so short but that there is always time enough for courtesy. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Life is not so short but that there is always time enough for courtesy.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
In failing circumstances no man can be relied on to keep his integrity. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In failing circumstances no man can be relied on to keep his integrity.

integrity

Society is always taken by surprise at any new example of common sense. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Society is always taken by surprise at any new example of common sense.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Can anybody remember when the times were not hard and money not scarce? - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Can anybody remember when the times were not hard and money not scarce?
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
No man thoroughly understands a truth until he has contended against it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
No man thoroughly understands a truth until he has contended against it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The less a man thinks or knows about his virtues the better we like him. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The less a man thinks or knows about his virtues the better we like him.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

beliefs God faith

Every vice is only an exaggeration of a necessary and virtuous function. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every vice is only an exaggeration of a necessary and virtuous function.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

vice & virtue

Use what language you will, you can never say anything but what you are. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Use what language you will, you can never say anything but what you are.

language communication

Truth, and goodness, and beauty are but different faces of the same all. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Truth, and goodness, and beauty are but different faces of the same all.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Men of character are the conscience of the society to which they belong. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Men of character are the conscience of the society to which they belong.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The louder they talked of their honor, the faster we counted our spoons. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The louder they talked of their honor, the faster we counted our spoons.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A man is usually more careful of his money than he is of his principles. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man is usually more careful of his money than he is of his principles.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

money

The religion that is afraid of science dishonors God and commits suicide. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The religion that is afraid of science dishonors God and commits suicide.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

religion science science & religion

Truth is the property of no individual but is the treasure of all people. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Truth is the property of no individual but is the treasure of all people.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Cheerfulness, without which no man can be a poet — for beauty is his aim. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Cheerfulness, without which no man can be a poet — for beauty is his aim.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Hospitality consists in a little fire, a little food and an immense quiet. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Hospitality consists in a little fire, a little food and an immense quiet.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

silence

Men who know the same things are not long the best company for each other. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Men who know the same things are not long the best company for each other.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The torments of martyrdom are probably most keenly felt by the bystanders. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The torments of martyrdom are probably most keenly felt by the bystanders.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

martyr

Truth is the summit of being; justice is the application of it to affairs. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Truth is the summit of being; justice is the application of it to affairs.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
There is ever a slight suspicion of the burlesque about earnest, good men. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There is ever a slight suspicion of the burlesque about earnest, good men.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

earnestness

Divine Providence send the chiefest benefits under the mask of calamities. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Divine Providence send the chiefest benefits under the mask of calamities.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

calamity

Give me health and a day, and I will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Give me health and a day, and I will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Nature

health

In youth, we clothe ourselves with rainbows, and go as brave as the zodiac. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In youth, we clothe ourselves with rainbows, and go as brave as the zodiac.

youth

Marriage is the perfection which love aimed at, ignorant of what it sought. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Marriage is the perfection which love aimed at, ignorant of what it sought.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

marriage

Yet a man may love a paradox, without either losing his wit or his honesty. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Yet a man may love a paradox, without either losing his wit or his honesty.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson The Dial

paradox

Every thought which genius and piety throw into the world alters the world. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every thought which genius and piety throw into the world alters the world.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The man of genius inspires us with a boundless confidence in our own powers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The man of genius inspires us with a boundless confidence in our own powers.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

genius

The condition which high friendship demands is the ability to do without it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The condition which high friendship demands is the ability to do without it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wherever we go, whatever we do, self is the sole subject we study and learn. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Wherever we go, whatever we do, self is the sole subject we study and learn.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A sufficient and sure method of civilization is the influence of good women. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A sufficient and sure method of civilization is the influence of good women.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Everything in the universe goes by indirection. There are no straight lines. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Everything in the universe goes by indirection. There are no straight lines.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A friend is a man with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A friend is a man with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is proof of high culture to say the greatest matters in the simplest way. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It is proof of high culture to say the greatest matters in the simplest way.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
There never was a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him asleep. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There never was a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him asleep.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

sleep parenting

I like the silent church before the service begins better than any preaching. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I like the silent church before the service begins better than any preaching.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

silence

He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

fear

Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
He has seen but half the universe who never has been shown the house of pain. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
He has seen but half the universe who never has been shown the house of pain.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Natural History of the Intellect

pain

Language is a city to the building of which every human being brought a stone. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Language is a city to the building of which every human being brought a stone.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

language

He is great who is what he is from Nature, and who never reminds us of others. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
He is great who is what he is from Nature, and who never reminds us of others.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Moral qualities rule the world, but at short distances the senses are despotic. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Moral qualities rule the world, but at short distances the senses are despotic.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
One of the benefits of a college education is to show the boy its little avail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
One of the benefits of a college education is to show the boy its little avail.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

college

You shall have joy, or you shall have power, said God; you shall not have both. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
You shall have joy, or you shall have power, said God; you shall not have both.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

power

A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.  Before him I may think aloud. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.  Before him I may think aloud.

sincerity friendship

A man must ride alternately on the horses of his private and his public nature. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man must ride alternately on the horses of his private and his public nature.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

privacy

Every genuine work of art has as much reason for being as the earth and the sun. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every genuine work of art has as much reason for being as the earth and the sun.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A man is great who is what he is from nature and who never reminds us of others. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man is great who is what he is from nature and who never reminds us of others.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the effort to unfold our thought to a friend we make it clearer to ourselves. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In the effort to unfold our thought to a friend we make it clearer to ourselves.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

thoughts

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

failure glory

So of cheerfulness, or a good temper, the more it is spent, the more it remains. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
So of cheerfulness, or a good temper, the more it is spent, the more it remains.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Only an inventor knows how to borrow, and every man is or should be an inventor. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Only an inventor knows how to borrow, and every man is or should be an inventor.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

invention

Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

self-destructiveness

A dollar is not value, but representative of value, and at last of moral values. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A dollar is not value, but representative of value, and at last of moral values.
A man must consider what a rich realm he abdicates when he becomes a conformist. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man must consider what a rich realm he abdicates when he becomes a conformist.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

conformity

The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

virtue friendship

You send your child to the schoolmaster, but 'tis the schoolboys who educate him. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
You send your child to the schoolmaster, but 'tis the schoolboys who educate him.

education school

Every man alone is sincere. At the entrance of a second person, hypocrisy begins. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every man alone is sincere. At the entrance of a second person, hypocrisy begins.

hypocrisy

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting some on yourself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting some on yourself.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The god of Victory is said to be one-handed, but Peace gives victory to both sides. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The god of Victory is said to be one-handed, but Peace gives victory to both sides.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

victory

Experience is the only teacher, and we get this lesson indifferently in any school. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Experience is the only teacher, and we get this lesson indifferently in any school.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
There is a kind of latent omniscience not only in every man, but in every particle. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There is a kind of latent omniscience not only in every man, but in every particle.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The efforts which we make to escape from our destiny only serve to lead us into it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The efforts which we make to escape from our destiny only serve to lead us into it.

destiny

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

kindness

No dignity, no learning, no force of character, can make any stand against good wit. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
No dignity, no learning, no force of character, can make any stand against good wit.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

humor

I like the silence of a church, before the service begins better than any preaching. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I like the silence of a church, before the service begins better than any preaching.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

church

Nature is reckless of the individual. When she has points to carry, she carries them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nature is reckless of the individual. When she has points to carry, she carries them.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

nature

Condense some daily experience into a glowing symbol, and an audience is electrified. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Condense some daily experience into a glowing symbol, and an audience is electrified.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Atlantic Monthly

symbol oratory

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

friendship

Belief consists in accepting the affirmations of the soul; unbelief, in denying them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Belief consists in accepting the affirmations of the soul; unbelief, in denying them.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Representative Men

affirmation beliefs

The less government we have, the better — the fewer laws, and the less confided power. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The less government we have, the better — the fewer laws, and the less confided power.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

government

Bad times have a scientific value.  These are occasions a good learner would not miss. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Bad times have a scientific value.  These are occasions a good learner would not miss.

learning adversity experience

A chief event of life is the day in which we have encountered a mind that startled us. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A chief event of life is the day in which we have encountered a mind that startled us.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
If we shall take the good we find, asking no questions, we shall have heaping measures. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If we shall take the good we find, asking no questions, we shall have heaping measures.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

attitude

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

adventure

A man is a bundle of relations, a knot of roots, whose flower and fruitage is the world. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man is a bundle of relations, a knot of roots, whose flower and fruitage is the world.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
People wish to be settled; only as far as they are unsettled is there any hope for them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
People wish to be settled; only as far as they are unsettled is there any hope for them.

losing our way

Natures abhors the old and old age seems the only disease; all others run into this one. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Natures abhors the old and old age seems the only disease; all others run into this one.

nature

He who has put forth his total strength in fit actions has the richest return of wisdom. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
He who has put forth his total strength in fit actions has the richest return of wisdom.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
If you would know what nobody knows, read what everybody reads, just one year afterward. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If you would know what nobody knows, read what everybody reads, just one year afterward.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

peace

You will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
You will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

intelligence character

In every man there is something wherein I may learn from him, and in that I am his pupil. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In every man there is something wherein I may learn from him, and in that I am his pupil.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
In analyzing history, do not be too profound, for often the causes are quite superficial. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In analyzing history, do not be too profound, for often the causes are quite superficial.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Travel

The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Though we travel the world over to find beauty, we must carry it with us or we find it not. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Though we travel the world over to find beauty, we must carry it with us or we find it not.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Go where he will, the wise man is at home, his hearth the earth, — his hall the azure dome. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Go where he will, the wise man is at home, his hearth the earth, — his hall the azure dome.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
If the hive be disturbed by rash and stupid hands, instead of honey, it will yield us bees. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If the hive be disturbed by rash and stupid hands, instead of honey, it will yield us bees.

stupidity

As we are, so we do; and as we do, so is it done to us; we are the builders of our fortunes. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
As we are, so we do; and as we do, so is it done to us; we are the builders of our fortunes.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The charm of the best courages is that they are inventions, inspirations, flashes of genius. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The charm of the best courages is that they are inventions, inspirations, flashes of genius.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Flowers are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Flowers are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.

flowers

The element running through entire nature, which we call fate, is known to us as limitation. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The element running through entire nature, which we call fate, is known to us as limitation.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Beware when the great God lets loose a thinker on this planet.  Then all things are at risk. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Beware when the great God lets loose a thinker on this planet.  Then all things are at risk.

thinking

The right eloquence needs no bell to call the people together, and no constable to keep them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The right eloquence needs no bell to call the people together, and no constable to keep them.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

eloquence

Society is a masked ball, where every one hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Society is a masked ball, where every one hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The silence that accepts merit as the most natural thing in the world is the highest applause. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The silence that accepts merit as the most natural thing in the world is the highest applause.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Addresses and Lectures

silence

There is a capacity of virtue in us, and there is a capacity of vice to make your blood creep. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There is a capacity of virtue in us, and there is a capacity of vice to make your blood creep.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

vice & virtue

When a man says to me, 'I have the intensest love of nature', at once I know that he has none. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
When a man says to me, 'I have the intensest love of nature', at once I know that he has none.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

nature

We acquire the strength we have overcome.  Without war, no soldiers; without enemies, no hero. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We acquire the strength we have overcome.  Without war, no soldiers; without enemies, no hero.

Strength obstacles

If the stars should appear just one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore! - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If the stars should appear just one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore!
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

faith

Finish each day before you begin the next, and interpose a solid wall of sleep between the two. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Finish each day before you begin the next, and interpose a solid wall of sleep between the two.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

sleep

People don't seem to realize that their opinions of the world are also a confession of character. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
People don't seem to realize that their opinions of the world are also a confession of character.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

character opinions

There are no days in life so memorable as those which vibrated to some stroke of the imagination. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There are no days in life so memorable as those which vibrated to some stroke of the imagination.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Shallow men believe in luck, believe in circumstances....  Strong men believe in cause and effect. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Shallow men believe in luck, believe in circumstances....  Strong men believe in cause and effect.

luck

The first farmer was the first man, and all historic nobility rests on possession and use of land. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The first farmer was the first man, and all historic nobility rests on possession and use of land.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

farming

We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body.

children

It is a lesson which all history teaches wise men, to put trust in ideas, and not in circumstances. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It is a lesson which all history teaches wise men, to put trust in ideas, and not in circumstances.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
To the dull mind all of nature is leaden. To the illumined mind the whole world sparkles with light. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
To the dull mind all of nature is leaden. To the illumined mind the whole world sparkles with light.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young man, 'Always do what you are afraid to do.' - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young man, 'Always do what you are afraid to do.'
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
There is nothing settled in manners, but the laws of behavior yield to the energy of the individual. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There is nothing settled in manners, but the laws of behavior yield to the energy of the individual.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

manners

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.  Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.  Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.

inner peace

All men are poets at heart. They serve nature for bread, but her loveliness overcomes them sometimes. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
All men are poets at heart. They serve nature for bread, but her loveliness overcomes them sometimes.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

nature

[There's] no truth so sublime but it may be seen to be trivial tomorrow in the light of new thoughts. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
[There's] no truth so sublime but it may be seen to be trivial tomorrow in the light of new thoughts.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The highest compact we can make with our fellow is, — 'Let there be truth between us two forevermore.' - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The highest compact we can make with our fellow is, — 'Let there be truth between us two forevermore.'
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Our first mistake is the belief that the circumstance gives the joy which we give to the circumstance. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Our first mistake is the belief that the circumstance gives the joy which we give to the circumstance.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The health of the eye seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The health of the eye seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

hope

If I should go out of church whenever I hear a false sentiment, I could never stay there five minutes. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If I should go out of church whenever I hear a false sentiment, I could never stay there five minutes.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

church

The most wonderful inspirations die with their subject, if he has no hand to paint them to the senses. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The most wonderful inspirations die with their subject, if he has no hand to paint them to the senses.

inspirational

The babe in arms is a channel through which the energies we call fate, love, and reason visibly stream. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The babe in arms is a channel through which the energies we call fate, love, and reason visibly stream.

babies

I look on that man as happy, who, when there is a question of success, looks into his work for a reply. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I look on that man as happy, who, when there is a question of success, looks into his work for a reply.

work

The measure of a master is his success in bringing all people round to his opinions twenty years later. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The measure of a master is his success in bringing all people round to his opinions twenty years later.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is the privilege of any human work which is well done to invest the doer with a certain haughtiness. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It is the privilege of any human work which is well done to invest the doer with a certain haughtiness.

arrogance excellence work

If a man will kick a fact out of the window, when he comes back he finds it again in the chimney corner. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If a man will kick a fact out of the window, when he comes back he finds it again in the chimney corner.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Emerson and the Art of the Diary

facts

Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nature arms each man with some faculty which enables him to do easily some feat impossible to any other. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Nature arms each man with some faculty which enables him to do easily some feat impossible to any other.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ideas must work through the brains and the arms of good and brave men, or they are no better than dreams. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Ideas must work through the brains and the arms of good and brave men, or they are no better than dreams.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is the imagination?  Only an arm or weapon of the interior energy; only the precursor of the reason. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
What is the imagination?  Only an arm or weapon of the interior energy; only the precursor of the reason.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

imagination

Talent working with joy in the cause of universal truth lifts the possessor to new power as a benefactor. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Talent working with joy in the cause of universal truth lifts the possessor to new power as a benefactor.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
'Tis a short sight to limit our faith in laws to those of gravity, of chemistry, of botany, and so forth. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
'Tis a short sight to limit our faith in laws to those of gravity, of chemistry, of botany, and so forth.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
We think our civilization near its meridian, but we are yet only at the cock-crowing and the morning star. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We think our civilization near its meridian, but we are yet only at the cock-crowing and the morning star.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

civilization

The office of the scholar is to cheer, to raise, to guide people by showing them facts amidst appearances. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The office of the scholar is to cheer, to raise, to guide people by showing them facts amidst appearances.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Fate, then, is a name for facts not yet passed under the fire of thought; for causes which are unpenetrated. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Fate, then, is a name for facts not yet passed under the fire of thought; for causes which are unpenetrated.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The artists must be sacrificed to their art.  Like bees, they must put their lives into the sting they give. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The artists must be sacrificed to their art.  Like bees, they must put their lives into the sting they give.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

artists

To a dull mind all of nature is leaden. To the illumined mind the whole world burns and sparkles with light. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
To a dull mind all of nature is leaden. To the illumined mind the whole world burns and sparkles with light.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

intelligence

These are the voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
These are the voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world.

solitude

A determined man, by his very attitude and the tone of his voice, puts a stop to defeat, and begins to conquer. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A determined man, by his very attitude and the tone of his voice, puts a stop to defeat, and begins to conquer.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Spiritual Aims

attitude

A mechanic is driven by his work all day, but it ends at night; it has an end.  But the scholar's work has none. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A mechanic is driven by his work all day, but it ends at night; it has an end.  But the scholar's work has none.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

scholarship

For everything you have missed, you have gained something else; and for everything you gain, you lose something. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
For everything you have missed, you have gained something else; and for everything you gain, you lose something.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
I do then with my friends as I do with my books. I would have them where I can find them, but I seldom use them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I do then with my friends as I do with my books. I would have them where I can find them, but I seldom use them.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us.

joy

Every violation of truth is not only a sort of suicide in the liar, but is a stab at the health of human society. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every violation of truth is not only a sort of suicide in the liar, but is a stab at the health of human society.

lying

Love, and you shall be loved. All love is mathematically just, as much as the two sides of an algebraic equation. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Love, and you shall be loved. All love is mathematically just, as much as the two sides of an algebraic equation.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Eloquence is the power to translate a truth into language perfectly intelligible to the person to whom you speak. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Eloquence is the power to translate a truth into language perfectly intelligible to the person to whom you speak.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

eloquence

The martyr cannot be dishonered.  Every lash inflicted is a tongue of fame; every prison a more illustrious abode. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The martyr cannot be dishonered.  Every lash inflicted is a tongue of fame; every prison a more illustrious abode.

martyr

Each man has his own vocation.  The talent is the call.  There is one direction in which all space is open to him. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Each man has his own vocation.  The talent is the call.  There is one direction in which all space is open to him.

vocation talent

Those who cannot tell what they desire or expect, still sigh and struggle with indefinite thoughts and vast wishes. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Those who cannot tell what they desire or expect, still sigh and struggle with indefinite thoughts and vast wishes.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The torpid artist seeks inspiration at any cost, by virtue or by vice, by friend or by fiend, by prayer or by wine. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The torpid artist seeks inspiration at any cost, by virtue or by vice, by friend or by fiend, by prayer or by wine.

artists

Concentration is the secret of strength in politics, in war, in trade, in short, in all management of human affairs. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Concentration is the secret of strength in politics, in war, in trade, in short, in all management of human affairs.

Strength concentration

How much human life is lost in waiting?" "The philosophy of waiting is sustained by all the oracles of the universe. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
How much human life is lost in waiting?" "The philosophy of waiting is sustained by all the oracles of the universe.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Waiting
I learn immediately from any speaker how much he has already lived, through the poverty or the splendor of his speech. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I learn immediately from any speaker how much he has already lived, through the poverty or the splendor of his speech.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

speech

As long as our civilization is essentially one of property, of fences, of exclusiveness, it will by mocked by delusions. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
As long as our civilization is essentially one of property, of fences, of exclusiveness, it will by mocked by delusions.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
We love flattery, even though we are not deceived by it, because it shows that we are of importance enough to be courted. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We love flattery, even though we are not deceived by it, because it shows that we are of importance enough to be courted.

flattery

Don't say things. What you are stands over you the while, and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Don't say things. What you are stands over you the while, and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

example

The best of life is conversation, and the greatest success is confidence, or perfect understanding between sincere people. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The best of life is conversation, and the greatest success is confidence, or perfect understanding between sincere people.

conversation

Do not be too timid & squeamish about your actions.  All life is an experiment.  The more experiments you make the better. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Do not be too timid & squeamish about your actions.  All life is an experiment.  The more experiments you make the better.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

life

Manners are the happy ways of doing things; each once a stroke of genius or of love,--now repeated and hardened into usage. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Manners are the happy ways of doing things; each once a stroke of genius or of love,--now repeated and hardened into usage.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

manners

We forget ourselves and our destinies in health, and the chief use of temporary sickness is to remind us of these concerns. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
We forget ourselves and our destinies in health, and the chief use of temporary sickness is to remind us of these concerns.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

illness

There are two classes of poets — the poets by education and practice, these we respect; and poets by nature, these we love. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There are two classes of poets — the poets by education and practice, these we respect; and poets by nature, these we love.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
I can reason down or deny everything, except this perpetual Belly: feed he must and will, and I cannot make him respectable. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I can reason down or deny everything, except this perpetual Belly: feed he must and will, and I cannot make him respectable.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Representative Men

stomach hunger appetite

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men — that is genius. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men — that is genius.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
It sometimes occurs that memory has a personality of its own and volunteers or refuses its information at its will, not at mine. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It sometimes occurs that memory has a personality of its own and volunteers or refuses its information at its will, not at mine.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Natural History of the Intellect

memory

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.  It is to bring another out of his bad sense into your good sense. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.  It is to bring another out of his bad sense into your good sense.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

speech

A man finds room in the few square inches of the face for the traits of all his ancestors; for the expression of all his history. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A man finds room in the few square inches of the face for the traits of all his ancestors; for the expression of all his history.

face

I like to be beholden to the great metropolitan English speech, the sea which receives tributaries from every region under heaven. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I like to be beholden to the great metropolitan English speech, the sea which receives tributaries from every region under heaven.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

English

Every really able man, if you talk sincerely with him, considers his work, however much admired, as far short of what it should be. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every really able man, if you talk sincerely with him, considers his work, however much admired, as far short of what it should be.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
He who has acquired the ability may wait securely the occasion of making it felt and appreciated, and know that it will not loiter. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
He who has acquired the ability may wait securely the occasion of making it felt and appreciated, and know that it will not loiter.

ability

Every revolution was first a thought in one man's mind; and when the same thought occurs to another man, it is the key to that era. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every revolution was first a thought in one man's mind; and when the same thought occurs to another man, it is the key to that era.

revolution

None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

accomplishment

You have just dined, and however scrupulously the slaughterhouse is concealed in the graceful distance of miles, there is complicity. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
You have just dined, and however scrupulously the slaughterhouse is concealed in the graceful distance of miles, there is complicity.

vegetarian vegan

The child is sincere, and the man when he is alone, if he be not a writer, but on the entrance of the second person hypocrisy begins. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The child is sincere, and the man when he is alone, if he be not a writer, but on the entrance of the second person hypocrisy begins.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

hypocrisy lies

The use of literature is to afford us a platform whence we may command a view of our present life, a purchase by which we may move it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The use of literature is to afford us a platform whence we may command a view of our present life, a purchase by which we may move it.

literature

The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet; he has a fine Geneva watch, but cannot tell the hour by the sun. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet; he has a fine Geneva watch, but cannot tell the hour by the sun.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The true test of a civilization is, not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops — no, but the kind of man the country turns out. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The true test of a civilization is, not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops — no, but the kind of man the country turns out.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Great men, great nations have not been boasters and buffoons, but perceivers of the terror of life, and have manned themselves to face it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Great men, great nations have not been boasters and buffoons, but perceivers of the terror of life, and have manned themselves to face it.

greatness

The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of the cities, nor the crops – no, but the kind of man the country turns out. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of the cities, nor the crops – no, but the kind of man the country turns out.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

civilization character

The universe is represented in every one of its particles. Everything is made of one hidden stuff. The world globes itself in a drop of dew. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The universe is represented in every one of its particles. Everything is made of one hidden stuff. The world globes itself in a drop of dew.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Criticism should not be querulous and wasting, all knife and root-puller, but guiding, instructive, inspiring, a south wind, not an east wind. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Criticism should not be querulous and wasting, all knife and root-puller, but guiding, instructive, inspiring, a south wind, not an east wind.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

criticism

Conversation is an art in which a man has all mankind for his competitors, for it is that which they are practicing every day while they live. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Conversation is an art in which a man has all mankind for his competitors, for it is that which they are practicing every day while they live.

conversation

Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is the triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is the triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is a fact often observed, that men have written good verses under the inspiration of passion who cannot write well under other circumstances. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It is a fact often observed, that men have written good verses under the inspiration of passion who cannot write well under other circumstances.

inspiration

The glance is natural magic. The mysterious communication established across a house between two entire strangers, moves all the springs of wonder. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The glance is natural magic. The mysterious communication established across a house between two entire strangers, moves all the springs of wonder.

communication body language

For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thoughts come into our minds by avenues which we never left open, and thoughts go out of our minds through avenues which we never voluntarily opened. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Thoughts come into our minds by avenues which we never left open, and thoughts go out of our minds through avenues which we never voluntarily opened.

mind

And of poetry, the success is not attained when it lulls and satisfies, but when it astonishes and fires us with new endeavors after the unattainable. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
And of poetry, the success is not attained when it lulls and satisfies, but when it astonishes and fires us with new endeavors after the unattainable.

poetry

The orator must be, to some extent, a poet.  We are such imaginative creatures that nothing so works on the human mind, barbarous or civil, as a trope. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The orator must be, to some extent, a poet.  We are such imaginative creatures that nothing so works on the human mind, barbarous or civil, as a trope.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Atlantic Monthly

oratory

No man ever forgot the visitations of that power to his heart and brain, which created all things new; which was the dawn in him of music, poetry, and art. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
No man ever forgot the visitations of that power to his heart and brain, which created all things new; which was the dawn in him of music, poetry, and art.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Money, which represents the prose of life, and which is hardly spoken of in parlors without an apology, is, in its effects and laws, as beautiful as roses. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Money, which represents the prose of life, and which is hardly spoken of in parlors without an apology, is, in its effects and laws, as beautiful as roses.

money

Talent for talent's sake is a bauble and a show.  Talent working with joy in the cause of universal truth lifts the possessor to new power as a benefactor. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Talent for talent's sake is a bauble and a show.  Talent working with joy in the cause of universal truth lifts the possessor to new power as a benefactor.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

talent

Art is a jealous mistress, and, if a man have a genius for painting, poetry, music, architecture, or philosophy, he makes a bad husband, and an ill-provider. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Art is a jealous mistress, and, if a man have a genius for painting, poetry, music, architecture, or philosophy, he makes a bad husband, and an ill-provider.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
No one has a prosperity so high or firm, but that two or three words can dishearten it; and there is no calamity which right words will not begin to redress. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
No one has a prosperity so high or firm, but that two or three words can dishearten it; and there is no calamity which right words will not begin to redress.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
As the Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain the strength of the temptation we resist. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
As the Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain the strength of the temptation we resist.

temptation

Our faith comes in moments . . . yet there is a depth in those brief moments which constrains us to ascribe more reality to them than to all other experiences. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Our faith comes in moments . . . yet there is a depth in those brief moments which constrains us to ascribe more reality to them than to all other experiences.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
All our progress is an unfolding, like the vegetable bud. You first have an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge, as the plant has root, bud, and fruit. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
All our progress is an unfolding, like the vegetable bud. You first have an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge, as the plant has root, bud, and fruit.

progress

There are...books which take rank in our life with parents and lovers and passionate experiences, so medicinal, so stringent, so revolutionary, so authoritative. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
There are...books which take rank in our life with parents and lovers and passionate experiences, so medicinal, so stringent, so revolutionary, so authoritative.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

books classics

Our strength grows out of our weakness.  The indignation which arms itself with secret forces does not awaken until we are pricked and stung and sorely assailed. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Our strength grows out of our weakness.  The indignation which arms itself with secret forces does not awaken until we are pricked and stung and sorely assailed.
I like to have a man's knowledge comprehend more than one class of topics, one row of shelves. I like a man who likes to see a fine barn as well as a good tragedy. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I like to have a man's knowledge comprehend more than one class of topics, one row of shelves. I like a man who likes to see a fine barn as well as a good tragedy.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

learning

A dictionary...is full of suggestions—the raw material of possible poems and histories.  Nothing is wanting but a little shuffling, sorting, ligature, and cartilage. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A dictionary...is full of suggestions—the raw material of possible poems and histories.  Nothing is wanting but a little shuffling, sorting, ligature, and cartilage.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

dictionary

Everything in creation has its appointed painter or poet and remains in bondage like the princess in the fairy tale 'til its appropriate liberator comes to set it free. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Everything in creation has its appointed painter or poet and remains in bondage like the princess in the fairy tale 'til its appropriate liberator comes to set it free.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

art

All persons are puzzles until at last we find in some word or act the key to the man, to the woman; straightway all their past words and actions lie in light before us. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
All persons are puzzles until at last we find in some word or act the key to the man, to the woman; straightway all their past words and actions lie in light before us.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

understanding others

The profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader; the profoundest thought or passion sleeps as in a mine, until an equal mind and heart find and publish it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader; the profoundest thought or passion sleeps as in a mine, until an equal mind and heart find and publish it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

reading

An eye can threaten like a loaded and leveled gun, or can insult like hissing or kicking; or, in its altered mood, by beams of kindness, it can make the heart dance with joy. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
An eye can threaten like a loaded and leveled gun, or can insult like hissing or kicking; or, in its altered mood, by beams of kindness, it can make the heart dance with joy.

body language eyes

Speak what you think to-day in words as hard as cannon-balls and to-tomorrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Speak what you think to-day in words as hard as cannon-balls and to-tomorrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Is not marriage an open question, when it is alleged, from the beginning of the world, that such as are in the institution wish to get out, and such as are out wish to get in? - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Is not marriage an open question, when it is alleged, from the beginning of the world, that such as are in the institution wish to get out, and such as are out wish to get in?
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
A virulent, aggressive fool taints the reason of a household.  I have seen a whole family of quiet, sensible people unhinged and beside themselves, the victims of such a rogue. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A virulent, aggressive fool taints the reason of a household.  I have seen a whole family of quiet, sensible people unhinged and beside themselves, the victims of such a rogue.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

foolishness

Character wants room; must not be crowded on by persons, nor be judged from glimpses got in the press of affairs, or on few occasions. It needs perspective, as a great building. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Character wants room; must not be crowded on by persons, nor be judged from glimpses got in the press of affairs, or on few occasions. It needs perspective, as a great building.

character

The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes, and silly people. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes, and silly people.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

attitude

The thirst for adventure is the vent which Destiny offers; a war, a crusade, a gold mine, a new country, speak to the imagination and offer swing and play to the confined powers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The thirst for adventure is the vent which Destiny offers; a war, a crusade, a gold mine, a new country, speak to the imagination and offer swing and play to the confined powers.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Natural History of the Intellect

destiny adventure

An eye can threaten like a loaded and levelled gun, or it can insult like hissing or kicking, or, in its altered mood, by beams of kindness, it can make the heart dance with joy. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
An eye can threaten like a loaded and levelled gun, or it can insult like hissing or kicking, or, in its altered mood, by beams of kindness, it can make the heart dance with joy.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

eyes

Life is a search after power: and this is an element with which the world is so saturated—there is no chink or crevice in which it is not lodged—that no honest seeking goes unrewarded. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Life is a search after power: and this is an element with which the world is so saturated—there is no chink or crevice in which it is not lodged—that no honest seeking goes unrewarded.

life

Your manners are always under examination, and by committees little suspected, a police in citizens clothes, — but are awarding or denying you very high prizes when you least think of it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Your manners are always under examination, and by committees little suspected, a police in citizens clothes, — but are awarding or denying you very high prizes when you least think of it.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The art of conversation, or the qualifications for a good companion, is a certain self-control, which now holds the subject, now lets it go, with a respect for the emergencies of the moment. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The art of conversation, or the qualifications for a good companion, is a certain self-control, which now holds the subject, now lets it go, with a respect for the emergencies of the moment.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson The Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson

conversation

If a man can build a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If a man can build a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

success

If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mouse-trap than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mouse-trap than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
'Tis the good reader that makes the good book; a good head cannot read amiss; in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakably meant for his ear. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
'Tis the good reader that makes the good book; a good head cannot read amiss; in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakably meant for his ear.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

reading

In eloquence, the great triumphs of the art are when the orator is lifted above himself; when consciously he makes himself the mere tongue of the occasion and the hour, and says what cannot but be said. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
In eloquence, the great triumphs of the art are when the orator is lifted above himself; when consciously he makes himself the mere tongue of the occasion and the hour, and says what cannot but be said.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Society and Solitude

eloquence

The high prize of life, the crowning fortune of a man, is to be born to some pursuit which finds him in employment and happiness, whether it be to make baskets, or broadswords, or canals, or statues, or songs. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The high prize of life, the crowning fortune of a man, is to be born to some pursuit which finds him in employment and happiness, whether it be to make baskets, or broadswords, or canals, or statues, or songs.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
The world looks like a mathematical equation, which, turn it how you will, balances itself. Every secret is told, every crime is punished, every virtue rewarded, every wrong redressed, in silence and certainty. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The world looks like a mathematical equation, which, turn it how you will, balances itself. Every secret is told, every crime is punished, every virtue rewarded, every wrong redressed, in silence and certainty.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Each man takes care that his neighbor shall not cheat him. But a day will come when he begins to care that he does not cheat his neighbor. Then all goes well — he has changed his market cart into a chariot of the sun. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Each man takes care that his neighbor shall not cheat him. But a day will come when he begins to care that he does not cheat his neighbor. Then all goes well — he has changed his market cart into a chariot of the sun.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
No doubt, to a man of sense, travel offers advantages. As many languages as he has, as many friends, as many arts and trades, so many times is he a man. A foreign country is a point of comparison, wherefrom to judge his own. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
No doubt, to a man of sense, travel offers advantages. As many languages as he has, as many friends, as many arts and trades, so many times is he a man. A foreign country is a point of comparison, wherefrom to judge his own.

Travel

I know nothing which life has to offer so satisfying as the profound good understanding, which can subsist, after much exchange of good offices, between two virtuous men, each of whom is sure of himself, and sure of his friend. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I know nothing which life has to offer so satisfying as the profound good understanding, which can subsist, after much exchange of good offices, between two virtuous men, each of whom is sure of himself, and sure of his friend.

understanding others

A sympathetic person is placed in the dilemma of a swimmer among drowning men, who all catch at him, and if he give so much as a leg or a finger, they will drown him.  They wish to be saved from the mischiefs of their vices, but not from their vices. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
A sympathetic person is placed in the dilemma of a swimmer among drowning men, who all catch at him, and if he give so much as a leg or a finger, they will drown him.  They wish to be saved from the mischiefs of their vices, but not from their vices.

sympathy vice

The charm which Henry T uses for bird and frog and mink, is patience.  They will not come to him, or show him aright, until he becomes a log among logs, sitting still for hours in the same place; then they come around him and to him, and show themselves at home. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
The charm which Henry T uses for bird and frog and mink, is patience.  They will not come to him, or show him aright, until he becomes a log among logs, sitting still for hours in the same place; then they come around him and to him, and show themselves at home.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
I suffer whenever I see that common sight of a parent or senior imposing his opinion and way of thinking and being on a young soul to which they are totally unfit. Cannot we let people be themselves, and enjoy life in their own way? You are trying to make that man another you. One's enough. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
I suffer whenever I see that common sight of a parent or senior imposing his opinion and way of thinking and being on a young soul to which they are totally unfit. Cannot we let people be themselves, and enjoy life in their own way? You are trying to make that man another you. One's enough.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

parenting

It happens to us once or twice in a lifetime to be drunk with some book which probably has some extraordinary relative power to intoxicate us and none other; and having exhausted that cup of enchantment we go groping in libraries all our years afterwards in the hope of being in Paradise again. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
It happens to us once or twice in a lifetime to be drunk with some book which probably has some extraordinary relative power to intoxicate us and none other; and having exhausted that cup of enchantment we go groping in libraries all our years afterwards in the hope of being in Paradise again.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

books

Wealth brings with it its own checks and balances. The basis of political economy is non interference. The only safe rule is found in the self-adjusting meter of demand and supply. Open the doors of opportunity to talent and virtue and they will do themselves justice, and property will not be in bad hands. In a free and just commonwealth, property rushes from the idle and imbecile to the industrious, brave, and persevering. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
Wealth brings with it its own checks and balances. The basis of political economy is non interference. The only safe rule is found in the self-adjusting meter of demand and supply. Open the doors of opportunity to talent and virtue and they will do themselves justice, and property will not be in bad hands. In a free and just commonwealth, property rushes from the idle and imbecile to the industrious, brave, and persevering.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

wealth

To laugh often and much;

to win the respect of the intelligent people

and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty;

to find the best in others; 

to leave the world a bit better

whether by a healthy child, 
a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition;

to know that one life has breathed easier 

because you lived here.

This is to have succeeded. - Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.
To laugh often and much;

to win the respect of the intelligent people

and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty;

to find the best in others; 

to leave the world a bit better

whether by a healthy child, 
a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition;

to know that one life has breathed easier 

because you lived here.

This is to have succeeded.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

how to live life success

As we grow old, the beauty steals inward.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

age

Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Lectures and Biographical Sketches

patience

What is the hardest task in the world?  To think.

thinking

In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

risk-taking

Wit makes its own welcome and levels all distinctions.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

wit intelligence

That which we call sin in others, is experiment for us.

sin

Life is not so short but that there is always time for courtesy.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

manners

The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet.

civilization

Must we always talk for victory, and never once for truth, for comfort, for joy?
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Letters and Social Aims

talking

Use what language you will, you can never say anything to others but what you are.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.

character attitude opinions

We do not quite forgive a giver.  The hand that feeds us is in some danger of being bitten.

Giving

What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

character

Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Orations, Lectures, and Addresses

enthusiasm

Trust men, and they will be true to you; treat them greatly, and they will show themselves great.

trust greatness

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not.

Travel inner beauty

It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person—"Always do what you are afraid to do."

advisory

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your heart is true for all men - that is genius.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

genius universalism

In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts: they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty.

genius art thoughts

In the highest civilization, the book is still the highest delight. He who has once known its satisfactions is provided with a resource against calamity.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

books

The high prize of life, the crowning fortune of a man, is to be born with a bias to some pursuit which finds him in employment and happiness—whether it be to make baskets, or broadswords, or canals, or songs.

career vocation pursuit work happiness

The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet. He is supported on crutches, but lacks so much support of muscle. He has a fine Geneva watch, but he fails of the skill to tell the hour by the sun.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

civilization progress

Courage charms us because it indicates that a man loves an idea better than all the things in the world, that he is thinking neither of his bed, nor his dinner, nor his money, but will venture all to put in act the invisible thought of his mind.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

courage ideas