“Solitude, the safeguard of mediocrity, is to genius the stern friend, the cold, obscure shelter where moult the wings which will bear… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
Cities force growth and make men talkative and entertaining, but they make them artificial. What possesses interest for us is thenatural of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“The ancient precept, “Know thyself,” and the modern precept, “Study nature,” become at last one maxim.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
All great natures delight in stability; all great men find eternity affirmed in the very promise of their faculties. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A man is but a little thing in the midst of the objects of nature, yet, by the moral quality radiating from… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
No matter what your work, let it be your own. No matter what your occupation, let what you are doing be organic.… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The power, which resides in man, is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We over-estimate the conscience of our friend. His goodness seems better than our goodness, his nature finer, his temptations less. Everything that… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other; who has retained the… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The aspect of nature is devout. Like the figure of Jesus, she stands with bended head, and hands folded upon the breast.… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A dilettantism in nature is barren and unworthy. A fop of fields is no better than his brother on Broadway. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We are thus assisted by natural objects in the expression of particular meanings. But how great a language to convey such pepper-corn… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Things admit of being used as symbols, because nature is a symbol, in the whole, and in every part. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“In happy hours, nature appears to us one with art; art perfected, -- the work of genius. And the individual, in whom… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We are by nature observers, and thereby learners. That is our permanent state. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“That second man has his own way of looking at things; asks himself which debt must I pay first, the debt to… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I suppose an entire cabinet of shells would be an expression of the whole human mind; a Flora of the whole globe… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Nature and literature are subjective phenomena; every evil and every good thing is a shadow which we cast — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The moment we indulge our affections, the earth is metamorphosed, there is no winter and no night; all tragedies, all ennui, vanish,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Nature is a frugal mother, and never gives without measure. When she has work to do, she qualifies men for that and… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Nature suffers nothing to remain in her kingdom which cannot help itself. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Every genuine work of art has as much reason for being as the earth and the sun. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
“We cannot approach beauty. Its nature is like opaline doves'-neck lustres, hovering and evanescent. Herein it resembles the most excellent things, which… — 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
