Perpetual modernism is the measure of merit in every work of art. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
No performance is worth loss of geniality. 'Tis a cruel price we pay for certain fancy goods called fine arts and philosophy. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We must learn the language of facts. The most wonderful inspirations die with their subject, if he has no hand to paint… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“In art the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The arts and inventions of each period are only its costume, and do not invigorate men. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The god or hero of the sculptor is always represented in a transition from that which is representable to the senses, to… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Every genuine work of art has as much reason for being as the earth and the sun. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Tis the privilege of Art Thus to play its cheerful part, Man on earth to acclimate And bend the exile to his… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Sculpture and painting have the effect of teaching us manners and abolishing hurry. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There are moods in which we court suffering, in the hope that here, at least, we shall find reality, sharp peaks and… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
And the glory of character is in affronting the horrors of depravity to draw thence new nobilities of power: as Art lives… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Art should exhilarate, and throw down the walls of circumstance on every side, awakening in the beholder the same sense of universal… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Great works of art have no more affecting lesson for us than this. They teach us to abide by our own spontaneous… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A work of art is an abstract or epitome of the world. It is the result or expression of nature, in miniature.… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I now require this of all pictures, that they domesticate me, not that they dazzle me. Pictures must not be too picturesque.… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Without the great arts which speak to the sense of beauty, a man seems to me a poor, naked, shivering creature. These… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In sculpture did ever anybody call the Apollo a fancy piece? Or say of the Laocoon how it might be made different?… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“The conscious utterance of thought, by speech or action, to any end, is Art. From the first imitative babble of a child… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Genial manners are good, and power of accommodation to any circumstance, but the high prize of life, the crowning fortune of a… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
You cannot hide any secret. If the artist succor his flagging spirits by opium or wine, his work will characterize itself as… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Each work of art excludes the world, concentrates attention on itself. For the time it is the only thing worth doing -to… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“In happy hours, nature appears to us one with art; art perfected, -- the work of genius. And the individual, in whom… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There is no architect Can build as the Muse can; She is skilful to select Materials for her plan. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Great is paint; nay, God is the painter; and we rightly accuse the critic who destroys too many illusions. Society does not… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Art is not to be found by touring to Egypt, China, or Peru; if you cannot find it at your own door,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The conscious utterance of thought, by speech or action, to any end, is art. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A vivid thought brings the power to paint it; and in proportion to the depth of its source is the force of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Art and power will go on as they have done,--will make day out of night, time out of space, and space out… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Light is the first of painters. There is no object so foul that intense light will not make it beautiful. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There is no way to success in art but to take off your coat, grind paint, and work like a digger on… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I have heard that stiff people lose something of their awkwardness under high ceilings, and in spacious halls. I think, sculptureand painting… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Art is the need to create; but in its essence, immense and universal, it is impatient of working with lame or tied… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
It never was in the power of any man or any community to call the arts into being. They come to serve… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A painter told me that nobody could draw a tree without in some sort becoming a tree; or draw a child by… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Art is a jealous mistress, and if a man has a genius for painting, poetry, music, architecture or philosophy, he makes a… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The virtue of art lies in detachment, in sequestering one object from the embarrassing variety. Until one thing comes out from theconnection… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share
