In the highest civilization, the book is still the highest delight. He who has once known its satisfactions is provided with a… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“My book should smell of pines and resound with the hum of insects. The swallow over my window should interweave that thread… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“It is remarkable, the character of the pleasure we derive from the best books.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
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
If you would know what nobody knows, read what everybody reads, just one year afterwards. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In the learned journal, in the influential newspaper, I discern no form; only some irresponsible shadow; oftener some monied corporation, or some… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“There are books which take rank in our life with parents and lovers and passionate experiences, so medicinal, so stringent, so revolutionary,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I do then with my friends as I do with my books. I would have them where I can find them, but… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“Miss Austen’s novels … seem to me vulgar in tone, sterile in artistic invention, imprisoned in the wretched conventions of English society,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In the highest civilization the book is still the highest delight. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In the first place, all books that get fairly into the vital air of the world were written by the successful class,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Converse with a mind that is grandly simple, and literature looks like word-catching. The simplest utterances are worthiest to bewritten, yet are… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“It is remarkable, the character of the pleasure we derive from the best books. They impress us with the conviction, that one… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Next to the originator of a good sentence is the first quoter of it. Many will read the book before one thinks… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
When I read a good book, I wish my life were three thousand years long. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We prize books, and they prize them most who are themselves wise. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Let the reader find that he cannot afford to omit any line of your writing because you you have omitted every word… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Books are the best of things if well used; if abused, among the worst. They are good for nothing but to inspire.… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Be lord of a day, through wisdom and justice, and you can put up your history books. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
It is much better to learn the elements of geology, of botany, or ornithology and astronomy by word of mouth from a… — 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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
“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 Image
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 Image
A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
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 Image