You think me the child of circumstance; I make my circumstance. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Why should we grope among the dry bones of the past? The sun shines today also. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Two sorts of writers possess genius: those who think, and those who cause others to think. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Character is higher than intellect. Thinking is the function; living is the functionary. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Heaven walks among us ordinarily muffled in such triple or tenfold disguises that the wisest are deceived and no one suspects the… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
How much more the seeker of abstract truth, who needs periods of isolation, and rapt concentration, and almost a going out of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I should as soon think of swimming across Charles River, when I wish to go to Boston, as of reading all my… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Think me not unkind and rude That I walk alone in grove and glen; I go to the god of the wood… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I think no virtue goes with size;The reason of all cowardiceIs, that men are overgrown,And, to be valiant, must come downTo the… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The world is always childish, and with each new gewgaw of a revolution or new constitution that it finds, thinks it shall… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The socialism of our day has done good service in setting men to thinking how certain civilizing benefits, now only enjoyed by… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
You will think me very pedantic, gentlemen, but holiday though it may be, I have not the smallest interest in any holiday,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Though many painters and sculptors talk glibly of "going in for photography," you will find that very few of them can ever… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Courage charms us, because it indicates that a man loves an idea better than all things in the world, that he is… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Slavery is no scholar, no improver; it does not love the whistle of the railroad; it does not love the newspaper, the… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Why should all virtue work in one and the same way? Why should all give dollars? It is very inconvenient to us… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Well, the world has a million writers. One would think, then, that good thought would be as familiar as air and water,… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I think sometimes could I only have music on my own terms, could I live in a great city, and know where… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The bulk of mankind believe in two gods. They are under one dominion here in the house, as friend and parent, in… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Nothing is more disgusting than the crowing about liberty by slaves, as most men are, and the flippant mistaking for freedom of… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
If there be any man who thinks the ruin of a race of men a small matter, compared with the last decoration… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
It is wonderful how soon a piano gets into a log-hut on the frontier. You would think they found it under a… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
There was never a man born so wise or good, but one or more companions came into the world with him, who… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
And what avails it that science has come to treat space and time as simply forms of thought, and the material world… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
This whole business of Trade gives me to pause and think, as it constitutes false relations between men; inasmuch as I am… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Some men at the approach of a dispute neigh like horses. Unless there be an argument, they think nothing is doing. Some… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
But, if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that come from these heavenly worlds, will… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The crime which bankrupts men and states is job-work-declining from your main design, to serve a turn here and there. Nothing is… — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
The dead sleep in their moonless night; my business is with the living. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Don't ever give up on something or someone that you can't go a full day without thinking about. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
What your heart thinks is great, is great. The soul's emphasis is always right. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
I think we must get rid of slavery or we must get rid of freedom. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Many photographers think they are photographing nature when they are only caricaturing her. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
All that can be done for you is nothing to what you can do for yourself. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Copy Share Image
Whatever we think and say is wonderfully better for our spirits and trust in another mouth. — 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
