A man is like a bit of Labrador spar, which has no lustre as you turn it in your hand until you… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Profound sincerity is the only basis of talent as of character. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Many a profound genius, I suppose, who fills the world with fame of his exploding renowned errors, is yet everyday posed and… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
If the colleges were better, if they ... had the power of imparting valuable thought, creative principles, truths which become powers, thoughts… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A man must thank his defects, and stand in some terror of his talents. A transcendent talent draws so largely on his… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Our people are slow to learn the wisdom of sending character instead of talent to Congress. Again and again they have sent… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Wealth brings with it its own checks and balances. The basis of political economy is noninterference. The only safe rule is found… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Nature and books belong to the eyes that see them. It depends on the mood of the man, whether he shall see… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Imagination is not a talent of some men but is the health of every man. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
It is the delight of vulgar talent to dazzle and to bind the beholder. But true genius seeks to defend us from… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There is, in all great poets, a wisdom of humanity which is superior to any talents they exercise. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We postpone our literary work until we have more ripeness and skill to write, and we one day discover that our literary… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The difference between talent and genius is in the direction of the current: in genius, it is from within outward; in talent… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Almost every man we meet requires some civility; requires to be humored; - he has some fame, some talent, some whim of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The people know that they need in their representative much more than talent, namely, the power to make his talent trusted. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The only sin is limitation. As soon as you once come up with a man's limitations, it is all over with him.… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
We have feudal governments in a commercial age. It would be but an easy extension of our commercial system, to pay a… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The best political economy is the care and culture of men; for, in these crises, all are ruined except such as are… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Talent alone cannot make a writer. There must be a man behind the book; a personality which, by birth and quality, is… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
A man must thank his defects, and stand in some terror of his talents. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Talent for talent's sake is a bauble and a show. Talent working with joy in the cause of universal truth lifts the… — 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
