Every mind has a new compass, a new direction of its own, differencing its genius and aim from every other mind.--We call… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Intellect is void of affection and sees an object as it stands in the light of science, cool and disengaged. The intellect… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Heroism works in contradiction to the voice of mankind and in contradiction, for a time, to the voice of the great and… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I wish to speak with all respect of persons, but sometimes I must pinch myself to keep awake, and preserve the due… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The universal soul is the alone creator of the useful and the beautiful; therefore to make anything useful or beautiful, the individual… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
If men would avoid that general language and general manner in which they strive to hide all that is peculiar, and would… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We are sure that, though we know not how, necessity does comport with liberty, the individual with the world, my polarity with… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Masses are rude, lame, unmade, pernicious in their demands and influence, and need not to be flattered, but to be schooled. I… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I confess myself utterly at a loss in suggesting particular reforms in our ways of teaching. No discretion that can be lodged… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
To the young mind every thing is individual, stands by itself. By and by, it finds how to join two things and… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The purpose of life seems to be to acquaint a man with himself and whatever science or art or course of action… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The soul is the perceiver and revealer of truth. We know truth when we see it, let skeptic and scoffer say what… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
If the individuals who compose the purest circles of aristocracy in Europe, the guarded blood of centuries, should pass in review,in such… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The results of life are uncalculated and uncalculable. The years teach much which the days never know. The persons who compose our… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Hence, the less government we have, the better,--the fewer laws, and the less confided power. The antidote to this abuse of formalGovernment,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The tendencies of the times favor the idea of self-government, and leave the individual, for all code, to the rewards and penalties… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The growth of the intellect is spontaneous in every expansion. The mind that grows could not predict the times, the means, the… — 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