Society gains nothing whilst a man, not himself renovated, attempts to renovate things around him; he has become tediously good insome particular… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Wit makes its own welcome, and levels all distinction. No dignity, no learning, no force of character, can make any stand against… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There are many eyes that can detect and honor the prudent and household virtues; there are many that can discern Genius on… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Remarkable trait in the American Character is the union, not very infrequent, of Yankee cleverness with spiritualism. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A character is like an acrostic or Alexandrian stanza; - read it forward, backward, or across, it still spells the same thing. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Virtues are, in the popular estimate, rather the exception than the rule. There is the man and his virtues. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A man is like a bit of Labrador spar, which has no luster as you turn it in your hand, until you… — 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
Every fact is related on one side to sensation, and, on the other, to morals. The game of thought is, on the… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Commerce is of trivial import; love, faith, truth of character, the aspiration of man, these are sacred. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
It is always a practical difficulty with clubs to regulate the laws of election so as to exclude peremptorily every social nuisance.… — 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
For you, o broker, there is no other principle but arithmetic. For me, commerce is of trivial import; love, faith, truth of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Some men are born to own, and can animate all their possessions. Others cannot: their owning is not graceful; seems to be… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Moral qualities rule the world, but at short distances the senses are despotic. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
By fate, not option, frugal Nature gave One scent to hyson and to wall-flower, One sound to pine-groves and to water-falls, One… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“The virtues are economists, but some of the vices are also...Pride is handsome, economical; pride eradicates so many vices, letting none subsist… — 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
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
