Proverbs are the literature of reason, or the statements of absolute truth, without qualification. Like the sacred books of each nation, they… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There are many faculties in man, each of which takes its turn of activity, and that faculty which is paramount in any… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Expediency of literature, reason of literature, lawfulness of writing down a thought, is questioned; much is to say on both sides,and, while… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Nothing is arbitrary, nothing is insulated in beauty. It depends forever on the necessary and the useful. The plumage of the bird,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Every industrious man, in every lawful calling, is a useful man. And one principal reason why men are so often useless is… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
To the men of this world, to the animal strength and spirits, to the men of practical power, whilst immersed in it,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The reason why any one refuses his assent to your opinion, or his aid to your benevolent design, is in you: he… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A man is reputed to have thought and eloquence; he cannot, for all that, say a word to his cousin or his… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A man makes inferiors his superiors by heat; self control is the rule. Anger is an uncontrollable feeling that betrays what you… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
All our progress is an unfolding, like the vegetable bud. You have first an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge, as… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Whilst the rights of all as persons are equal, in virtue of their access to reason, their rights in property are very… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There are geniuses in trade as well as in war, or the state, or letters; and the reason why this or that… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There is some reason to believe that when a man does not write his poetry it escapes by other vents through him,… — 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
