All reform aims, in some one particular, to let the soul have its way through us; in other words, to engage us… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
It is handsomer to remain in the establishment better than the establishment, and conduct that in the best manner, than to make… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Conservatism makes no poetry, breathes no prayer, has no invention; it is all memory. Reform has no gratitude, no prudence, no husbandry. — 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
The religions are obsolete when the reforms do not proceed from them. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Do not spill thy soul in running hither and yon, grieving over the mistakes and the vices of others. The one person… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The virtues of society are vices of the saint. The terror of reform is the discovery that we must cast away our… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Conservatism stands on man's confessed limitations; reform on his indisputable infinitude; conservatism on circumstance; liberalism on power; one goes to make an… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Many a reformer perishes in his removal of rubbish,--and that makes the offensiveness of the class. They are partial; they are notequal… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I confess myself utterly at a loss in suggesting particular reforms in our ways of teaching. No discretion that can be lodged… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Every reform was once a private opinion, and when it shall be a private opinion again, it will solve the problem of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We shall one day learn to supersede politics by education. What we call our root-and-branch reforms of slavery, war, gambling, intemperance, is… — 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