When at last in a race a new principle appears, an idea--that conserves it; ideas only save races. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
God had infinite time to give us.... He cut it up into a near succession of new mornings, and, with each, therefore,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Ideas must work through the brains and the arms of good and brave, or they are no better than dreams — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
When we are exalted by ideas, we do not owe this to Plato, but to the idea, to which also Plato was… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We are the prisoners of ideas. They catch us up for moments into their heaven, and so fully engage us, that we… — 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
We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There is a time when a man distinguishes the idea of felicity from the idea of wealth; it is the beginning of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The state of society is one in which the members have suffered amputation from the trunk, and strut about so many walking… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Let ideas establish their legitimate sway again in society, let life be fair and poetic, and the scholars will gladly be lovers,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
So shall we come to look at the world with new eyes. It shall answer the endless inquiry of the intellect, —… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Thought is the property of him who can entertain it, and of him who can adequately place it. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Man carries the world in his head, the whole astronomy and chemistry suspended in a thought. Because the history of nature is… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A feeble man can see the farms that are fenced and tilled, the houses that are built. The strong man sees the… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The history of reform is always identical; it is the comparison of the idea with the fact. Our modes of living are… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Build, therefore, your own world. As fast as you conform your life to the pure idea in your mind, that will unfold… — 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
General ideas are essences. They are our gods: they round and ennoble the most partial and sordid way of living. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I am so much a Unitarian as this: that I believe the human mind can admit but one God, and that every… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The best university that can be recommended to a man of ideas is the gauntlet of the mob. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents. It may be safely trusted… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
THE POET A moody child and wildly wise Pursued the game with joyful eyes, Which chose, like meteors, their way, And rived… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Put the argument into a concrete shape, into an image, some hard phrase, round and solid as a ball, which they can… — 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
