Every man is the inlet and may become the outlet of all there is in God. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
You may regret calamities if you can thereby help the sufferer, but if you cannot, mind your own business. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Two may talk and one may hear, but three cannot take part in a conversation of the most sincere and searching sort. — 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
Yet a man may love a paradox, without losing either his wit or his honesty. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Ever the words of the gods resound; But the porches of man's ear seldom in this low life's round are unsealed, that… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
For what are they all in their high conceit, When man in the bush with God may meet? — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The adventitious beauty of poetry may be felt in the greater delight with a verse given in a happy quotation than in… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Every rational creature has all nature for his dowry and estate. It is his, if he will. He may divest himself of… — 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
“Few and mean as my gifts may be, I actually am, and do not need for my own assurance or the assurance… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
If a man lose his balance, and immerse himself in any trades or pleasures for their own sake, he may be a… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Eloquence must be grounded on the plainest narrative. Afterwards, it may warm itself until it exhales symbols of every kind and color,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Nature may be as selfishly studied as trade. Astronomy to the selfish becomes astrology; psychology, mesmerism (with intent to show where aour… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think. This rule, equally arduous in actual and in… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
When he has seen, that it is not his, nor any man's, but it is the soul which made the world, and… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The axioms of physics translate the laws of ethics. Thus, "the whole is greater than its part;" "reaction is equal to action;"… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April's breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood, And fired… — 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
The book, the college, the school of art, the institution of any kind, stop with some past utterance of genius. . .… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
Where the heart is, there the muses, there the gods sojourn, and not in any geography of fame. Massachusetts, Connecticut River, and… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
That which befits us, embosomed in beauty and wonder as we are, is cheerfulness, and courage, and the endeavor to realize our… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The thief steals from himself. The swindler swindles himself. For the real price is knowledge and virtue, whereof wealth and credit are… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Society is an illusion to the young citizen. It lies before him in rigid repose, with certain names, men, and institutions, rootedlike… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We are of different opinions at different hours, but we always may be said to be at heart on the side of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
...What torments of pain have you endured that haven't as yet arrived? and may never! — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Washington, where an insignificant individual may trespass on a nation's time. — 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