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
What the tender and poetic youth dreams to-day, and conjures up with inarticulate speech, is to-morrow the vociferated result of public opinion,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Silent rushes the swift Lord Through ruined systems still restored, Broadsowing, bleak and void to bless, Plants with worlds the wilderness; Waters… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Do not require a description of the countries towards which you sail. The description does not describe them to you, and to-… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
When God lets loose a great thinker on this planet, then all things are at risk. There is not a piece of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
If we could have any security against moods! If the profoundest prophet could be holden to his words, and the hearer who… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Our moods do not believe in each other. To-day I am full of thoughts, and can write what I please. I see… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
It is not an arbitrary "decree of God," but in the nature of man, that a veil shuts down on the facts… — 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