Heaven sometimes hedges a rare character about with ungainliness and odium, as the burr that protects the fruit. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The wise man, the true friend, the finished character, we seek everywhere, and only find in fragments. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Let not a man guard his dignity, but let his dignity guard him. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There is genius as well in virtue as in intellect. 'Tis the doctrine of faith over works. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Profound sincerity is the only basis of talent as of character. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure shambles; but character gives splendor to youth, and awe to wrinkled skin and gray… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A state of war or anarchy, in which law has little force, is so far valuable, that it puts every man on… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The merit of those who fill a space in the world's history, who are borne forward, as it were, by the weight… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The virtue you would like to have, assume it is already yours, appropriate it, enter into the part and live the character… — 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
To finish the moment, to find the journey's end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In spite of warnings, change rarely occurs until the status quo becomes more painful than change. People seem not to see that… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of the cities, nor the crops – no, but the… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A more secret, sweet, and overpowering beauty appears to man when his heart and mind open to the sentiment of virtue. Then… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There are many virtues in books, but the essential value is the adding of knowledge to our stock by the record of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“If we are related, we shall meet. It was a tradition of the ancient world, that no metamorphosis could hide a god… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
And last of all, high over thought, in the world of morals, Fate appears as vindicator, levelling the high, lifting the low,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The craft with which the world is made runs also into the mind and character of men. No man is quite sane;… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“Life goes headlong. We chase some flying scheme, or we are hunted by some fear or command behind us. But if suddenly… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
For, the advantages which fashion values, are plants which thrive in very confined localities, in a few streets, namely. Out of this… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Why should all virtue work in one and the same way? Why should all give dollars? It is very inconvenient to us… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The essence of greatness is the perception that virtue is enough. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Preaching is the expression of the moral sentiment in application to the duties of life. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
If thought makes free, so does the moral sentiment. The mixtures of spiritual chemistry refuse to be analyzed. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Every man's nature is a sufficient advertisement to him of the character of his fellows. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A low self-love in the parent desires that his child should repeat his character and fortune. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Character is an invincible force, which acts by presence and without means — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Not for nothing one face, one character, one fact makes much impression on him, and another none. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“Virtues are in the popular estimate rather the exception than the rule.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Virtue alone is sweet society, It keeps the key to all heroic hearts, And opens you a welcome in them all. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The victories of character are instant, and victories for all. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There can be no high civility without a deep morality, though it may not always call itself by that name. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
For a great nature, it is a happiness to escape a religious training; religion of character is so apt to be invaded. — 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
