Perpetual modernism is the measure of merit in every work of art. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends. We're so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
An artist spends himself like the crayon in his hand, till he is all gone. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
As many languages as he has, as many friends, as many arts and trades, so many times is he a man. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Our housekeeping is mendicant, our arts, our occupations, our marriages, our religion we have not chosen but society has chosen for us. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Practice radical humility." He (or she)who masters the art of humility cannot be humiliated... — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The artists must be sacrificed to their art. Like the bees, they must put their lives into the sting they give. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Virtue runs before the muse, and defies her skill; she is rapt and doth refuse to wait a painter's will. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The torpid artist seeks inspiration at any cost, by virtue or by vice, by friend or by fiend, by prayer or by… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There is no prosperity, trade, art, city, or great material wealth of any kind, but if you trace it home, you will… — 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
I see it only that thyself is here, and art and nature, hope and fate, friends, angels and the supreme being shall… — 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
How often we must remember the art of the surgeon, which, in replacing the broken bone, contents itself with releasing the parts… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The secret of genius is to suffer no fiction to exist for us; to realize all that we know; in the high… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Perpetual modernness is the measure of merit, in every work of art; since the author of it was not misled by anything… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The bulk of mankind believe in two gods. They are under one dominion here in the house, as friend and parent, in… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In eloquence, the great triumphs of the art are when the orator is lifted above himself; when consciously he makes himself the… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The book, the college, the school of art, the institution of any kind, stop with some past utterance of genius. . .… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
All minds quote. Old and new make the warp and woof of every moment. There is no thread that is not a… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Where the heart is, there the muses, there the gods sojourn, and not in any geography of fame. Massachusetts, Connecticut River, and… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Painting seems to be to the eye what dancing is to the limbs. When that has educated the frame to self-possession, to… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In nature, all is useful, all is beautiful. It is therefore beautiful, because it is alive, moving, reproductive; it is thereforeuseful, because… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The refining influence is the study of art, which is the science of beauty; and I find that every man values every… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Explore, and explore, and explore. Be neither chided nor flattered out of your position of perpetual inquiry. Neither dogmatise yourself, nor accept… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In the hands of the discoverer, medicine becomes a heroic art . . wherever life is dear he is a demigod. — 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