The flowering of civilization is the finished man, the man of sense, of grace, of accomplishment, of social power--the gentleman. — 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
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
One more royal trait properly belongs to the poet. I mean his cheerfulness, without which no man can be a poet,--for beauty… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Though thou loved her as thyself, As a self of purer clay, Tho' her parting dims the day, Stealing grace from all… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The restraining grace of common sense is the mark of all valid minds. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Nothing is quite beautiful alone; nothing but is beautiful in the whole. A single object is only so far beautiful as it… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
All writing is by the grace of God. People do not deserve to have good writing, they are so pleased with bad.… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Go put your creed into your deed, Nor speak with double tongue. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I please myself with the graces of the winter scenery, and believe that we are as much touched by it as by… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
But hospitality must be for service, and not for show, or it pulls down the host. The brave soul rates itself too… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We honor the rich because they have externally the freedom, power, and grace which we feel to be proper to man, proper… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There will always be in society certain persons who are mercuries of its approbation, and whose glance will at any time determinefor… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
And yet--it is not beauty that inspires the deepest passion. Beauty without grace is the hook without the bait. Beauty, without expression,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Whatever events in progress shall disgust men with cities, and infuse into them the passion for country life, and country pleasures, will… — 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