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Influence Quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson

44 Influence quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson

All Influence quotes Ralph Waldo Emerson’s page

Ralph Waldo Emerson writes that the land and its scenery can calm us and shape our thoughts. He says nature is the first and strongest influence on the mind, while ideas about property and famous figures like Jesus also leave deep marks. The quotes mix gentle observations with strong opinions about what guides us.

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All natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to their influence.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Who shall set a limit to the influence of a human being?

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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I have thought a sufficient measure of civilization is the influence of good women.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Shakespeare will never be made by the study of Shakespeare.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The world leaves no track in space, and the greatest action of man no mark in the vast idea.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The poet's habit of living should be set on a key so low that the common influences should delight him.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Every thought which genius and piety throw into the world alters the world.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The cardinal virtue of a teacher [is] to protect the pupil from his own influence.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Can rules or tutors educate The semigod whom we await? He must be musical, Tremulous, impressional, Alive to gentle influence Of landscape…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The whole constitution of property on its present tenures, is injurious, and its influence on persons deteriorating and degrading.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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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

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The first in time and the first in importance of the influences upon the mind is that of nature. Every day, the…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The world is young: the former great men call to us affectionately. We too must write Bibles, to unite again the heavens…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Again, the great number of cultivated men keep each other up to a high standard. The habit of meeting well-read and knowing…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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For, truly speaking, whoever provokes me to a good act or thought has given me a pledge of his fidelity to virtue,--he…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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When there is sympathy, there needs but one wise man in a company and all are wise,--so, a blockhead makes a blockhead…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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A healthy soul stands united with the Just and the True, as the magnet arranges itself with the pole, so that he…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The private life of one man shall be a more illustrious monarchy,--more formidable to its enemy, more sweet and serene in its…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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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

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But there is no end to the praise of books, to the value of the library. Who shall estimate their influence on…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The refining influence is the study of art, which is the science of beauty; and I find that every man values every…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Who shall set a limit to the influence of a human being? There are men, who, by their sympathetic attractions, carry nations…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Really, all things and persons are related to us, but according to our nature, they act on us not at once, but…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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When a thought of Plato becomes a thought to me,--when a truth that fired the soul of Pindar fires mine, time is…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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We ought to be cautious in taking even the best ascertained opinions and practices of the primitive Church for our own. If…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are inaccessible; but all natural objects make a kindred impression, when…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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There is nothing in history to parallel the influence of Jesus Christ.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Throw a stone into the stream and the ripples that propagate themselves are the beautiful type of all influence.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The influence of fine scenery, the presence of mountains, appeases our irritations and elevates our friendships.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Genius is always sufficiently the enemy of genius by over influence. The literature of every nation bear me witness. The English dramatic…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are inaccessible; but all natural objects make a kindred impression, when…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The antidote to this abuse of formal Government, is, the influence of private character, the growth of the Individual.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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It is the property of the religious spirit to be the most refining of all influences. No external advantages, no culture of…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Each man too is a tyrant in tendency, because he would impose his idea on others; and their trick is their natural…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Therefore all just persons are satisfied with their own praise. They refuse to explain themselves, and are content that new actions should…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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In every company, there is not only the active and passive sex, but, in both men and women, a deeper and more…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Masses are rude, lame, unmade, pernicious in their demands and influence, and need not to be flattered, but to be schooled. I…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The land is the appointed remedy for whatever is false and fantastic in our culture. The continent we inhabit is to be…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Hence, the less government we have, the better,--the fewer laws, and the less confided power. The antidote to this abuse of formalGovernment,…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Nor has science sufficient humanity, so long as the naturalist overlooks the wonderful congruity which subsists between man and the world; of…

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…

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If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…

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If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…

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A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…

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Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.

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“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…

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The order of things consents to virtue.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Life only avails, not the having lived.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

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