There is genius as well in virtue as in intellect. 'Tis the doctrine of faith over works. — 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
The victories of character are instant, and victories for all. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There can be no high civility without a deep morality, though it may not always call itself by that name. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Every man's nature is a sufficient advertisement to him of the character of his fellows. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
If thought makes free, so does the moral sentiment. The mixtures of spiritual chemistry refuse to be analyzed. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Preaching is the expression of the moral sentiment in application to the duties of life. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The essence of greatness is the perception that virtue is enough. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of the cities, nor the crops – no, but the… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
An expense of ends to means is fate;Morganization tyrannizing over character. The menagerie, or forms and powers of the spine, is a… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
In spite of warnings, change rarely occurs until the status quo becomes more painful than change. People seem not to see that… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
To finish the moment, to find the journey's end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Wit makes its own welcome, and levels all distinctions. No dignity, no learning, no force of character, can make any stand against… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The progress of religion is steadily to its identity with morals. Strength enters just as much as the moral element prevails. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
It is the duty of men to judge men only by their actions. Our faculties furnish us with no means of arriving… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Character repudiates intellect, yet excites it; and character passes into thought, is published so, and then is ashamed before newflashes of moral… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
So each man, like each plant, has his parasites. A strong, astringent, bilious nature has more truculent enemies than the slugs and… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
But the mark of American merit in painting, in sculpture, in poetry, in fiction, in eloquence, seems to be a certain grace… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
But the wise know that foolish legislation is a rope of sand, which perishes in the twisting; that the State must follow,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Without looking, then, to those extraordinary social influences which are now acting in precisely this direction, but only at whatis inevitably doing… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“Life goes headlong. We chase some flying scheme, or we are hunted by some fear or command behind us. But if suddenly… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
For, the advantages which fashion values, are plants which thrive in very confined localities, in a few streets, namely. Out of this… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Why should all virtue work in one and the same way? Why should all give dollars? It is very inconvenient to us… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Our friendships hurry to short and poor conclusions, because we have made them a texture of wine and dreams, instead of 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