It is not what talents or genius a man has, but how he is to his talents, that constitutes friendship and character.… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The young man reveres men of genius, because, to speak truly, they are more himself than he is. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Talent finds its models, methods, and ends in society, exists for exhibition, and goes to the soul only for power to work.… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The death of a dear friend, wife, brother, lover, which seemed nothing but privation, somewhat later assumes the aspect of a guide… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
What is it men love in Genius, but its infinite hope, which degrades all it has done? Genius counts all its miracles… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There is a genius of a nation, which is not to be found in the numerical citizens, but which characterizes the society. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
It is bad enough that our geniuses cannot do anything useful, but it is worse that no man is fit for society… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
That which we call character is a reserved force which acts directly by presence, and without means. It is conceived of as… — 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
Genius is its own end, and draws its means and the style of its architecture from within, going abroad only for audience,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“Solitude, the safeguard of mediocrity, is to genius the stern friend, the cold, obscure shelter where moult the wings which will bear… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Will is the measure of power. To a great genius there must be a great will. If the thought is not a… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart, is true for all men… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Never mind the ridicule, never mind the defeat: up again, old heart!-it seems to say,-there is victory yet for all justice; and… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Nothing will supply the want of sunshine to peaches, and, to make knowledge valuable, you must have the cheerfulness of wisdom. Whenever… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The enthusiast always finds the master, the masters, whom he seeks. Always genius seeks genius, desires nothing so much as to be… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Every mind has a new compass, a new direction of its own, differencing its genius and aim from every other mind.--We call… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I shun father and mother and wife and brother when my genius calls me. I would write on the lintels 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 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