Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Quotes

• Life is a festival only to the wise.

• The wise man always throws himself on the side of his assailants. It is more his interest than it is theirs to find his weak point.

• The definition of success--To laugh much; to win respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give one's self; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition.; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived--this is to have succeeded.

• When a whole nation is roaring patriotism at the top of its voice, I am fain to explore the cleanness of its hands and purity of its heart.

• A hero is no braver than an ordinary person, but he is braver five minutes longer.

• People only see what they are prepared to see.

• A friend is the hope of the heart.

• Creative force, like a musical composer, goes on unweariedly repeating a simple air or theme, now high, now low, in solo, in chorus, ten thousand times reverberated, till it fills earth and heaven with the chant.

• Friendship, like the immortality of the soul, is too good to be believed. When friendships are real, they are not glass threads or frost work, but the solidest things we know.

• The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons.

• United States! Go put your creed into your deed.

• Let the river roll which way it will, cities will rise on its banks.

• What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.

• Rings and jewels are not gifts but apologies for gifts. The only true gift is a portion of yourself.

• The best of life is conversation, and the greatest success is confidence, or perfect understanding between two people.

• The secret of education is respecting the pupil.

• We are shut up in schools and college recitation rooms for ten or fifteen years, and come out at last with a bellyful of words and do not know a thing.

• Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

• Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could do. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

• Imitation is suicide.