--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There comes Emerson first, whose rich…" description: "\"There comes Emerson first, whose rich words, every one, Are like gold nails in temples to hang trophies on.\" — James Russell Lowell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/571/james-russell-lowell-561_emerson_there-comes-emerson-first-whose-rich-wor_2649411.png" --- # There comes Emerson first, whose rich words, every one… ![“There comes Emerson first, whose rich words, every one, Are like gold nails in temples to hang trophies on.” quote by James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/571/james-russell-lowell-561_emerson_there-comes-emerson-first-whose-rich-wor_2649411.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/571/james-russell-lowell-561_emerson_there-comes-emerson-first-whose-rich-wor_2649411.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/571/james-russell-lowell-561_emerson_there-comes-emerson-first-whose-rich-wor_2649411.png) > “There comes Emerson first, whose rich words, every one, Are like gold nails in temples to hang trophies on.” [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emerson’s powerful words are foundational, like golden nails that support great achievements. **In simple terms:** Emerson’s words are enduring pillars. Key Takeaway Study Emerson for inspiration. Themes literature inspiration legacy philosophy art Mood inspirational reverent Type literary historical When to use this quote - literary studies - public speeches - creative writing - educational curricula Key Concepts Transcendentalism poetic influence cultural heritage Questions to Reflect On - Which Emerson ideas resonate today? - How can timeless words motivate current endeavors? A Different Perspective Modern readers may find archaic language challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gold/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Temples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temples/) ## Related quotes > [“(On Ralph Waldo Emerson)I love all men who dive. Any fish can swim near the surface, but it takes a great whale to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/on-ralph-waldo-emerson-i-love-all-men-who-dive-any-fish-can-swim-near/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“I appeal from your customs. I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. If you can love me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-appeal-from-your-customs-i-must-be-myself-i-cannot-break-myself-any/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Thought and knowledge are natures in which apparatus and pretension avail nothing. Gowns, and pecuniary foundations, though of towns of gold, can never countervail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/thought-and-knowledge-are-natures-in-which-apparatus-and-pretension/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“He is very much in love with Liz Emerson,and it seems that she will never know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-zhang/he-is-very-much-in-love-with-liz-emerson-and-it-seems-that-she-will/) [Amy Zhang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-zhang/) > [“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. –Ralph Waldo Emerson”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/improve-life-books/the-only-person-you-are-destined-to-become-is-the-person-you-decide/) Improve Life Books > [Love what is simple and beautiful. These are the essentials.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/love-what-is-simple-and-beautiful-these-are-the-essentials/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“You know, Scarlett, Rhett didn't give a damn, and frankly, I don't either. - Emerson”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myra-mcentire/you-know-scarlett-rhett-didn-t-give-a-damn-and-frankly-i-don-t-either/) [Myra McEntire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myra-mcentire/) > [Emerson was not passionate about abolition. He wasn't a passionate person. He was a cool intellectual, and I think he probably was a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-irvin-painter/emerson-was-not-passionate-about-abolition-he-wasn-t-a-passionate/) [Nell Irvin Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-irvin-painter/) > [“For a time Emerson politely endeavored to conceal his boredom - like most men, he is profoundly disinterested in all children except his own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-peters/for-a-time-emerson-politely-endeavored-to-conceal-his-boredom-like/) [Elizabeth Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-peters/) > [“Why is a man with a knife after your blood? Who sent him? I would like to write the fellow a letter of thanks!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-peters/why-is-a-man-with-a-knife-after-your-blood-who-sent-him-i-would-like/) [Elizabeth Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-peters/) > [“He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life. Ralph Waldo Emerson.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenz-font/he-who-is-not-everyday-conquering-some-fear-has-not-learned-the/) Lorenz Font > [“Emerson loved the good and his life was a symphony of peace and harmony, Carlyle hated the bad, and his life was a record…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/emerson-loved-the-good-and-his-life-was-a-symphony-of-peace-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Your goodness must have some edge to it -- else it is none.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/your-goodness-must-have-some-edge-to-it-else-it-is-none/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Emerson was the chief figure in the American transcendental movement, a fact that complicates all accounts of him in literary or cultural history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-mumford-jones/emerson-was-the-chief-figure-in-the-american-transcendental-movement/) [Howard Mumford Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-mumford-jones/) ## More by James Russell Lowell > [We kind o' thought Christ went agin war an' pillage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/we-kind-o-thought-christ-went-agin-war-an-pillage/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [He gives only the worthless gold who gives from a sense of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/he-gives-only-the-worthless-gold-who-gives-from-a-sense-of-duty/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [As life runs on, the road grows strange with faces new - and near the end. The milestones into headstones change, Neath every one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/as-life-runs-on-the-road-grows-strange-with-faces-new-and-near-the/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [Where one person shapes their life by precept and example, there are a thousand who have shaped it by impulse and circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/where-one-person-shapes-their-life-by-precept-and-example-there-are-a/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [Granting our wish is one of Fate's saddest jokes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/granting-our-wish-is-one-of-fate-s-saddest-jokes/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [Most religion-mongers have bated their paradises with a bit of toasted cheese. They have tempted the body with large promises of possessions in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/most-religion-mongers-have-bated-their-paradises-with-a-bit-of/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [The thing we long for, that we are For one transcendent moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/the-thing-we-long-for-that-we-are-for-one-transcendent-moment/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [O reputation! dearer far than life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/o-reputation-dearer-far-than-life/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [Keats longed for fame, but longed above all to deserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/keats-longed-for-fame-but-longed-above-all-to-deserve-it/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [It is beginning to be doubtful whether Parliament and Congress sit in Westminster and Washington, or in the editorial rooms of the leading journals,--so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/it-is-beginning-to-be-doubtful-whether-parliament-and-congress-sit-in/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [ \[B\]ut in literature, it should be remembered, a thing always becomes his at last who says it best, and thus makes it his own. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/b-ut-in-literature-it-should-be-remembered-a-thing-always-becomes-his/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [It may be glorious to write Thoughts that shall glad the two or three High souls, like those far stars that come in sight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/it-may-be-glorious-to-write-thoughts-that-shall-glad-the-two-or-three/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [It is the vain endeavor to make ourselves what we are not that has strewn history with so many broken purposes and lives left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/it-is-the-vain-endeavor-to-make-ourselves-what-we-are-not-that-has/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [Take winter as you find him, and he turns out to be a thoroughly honest fellow; with no nonsense in him, which is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/take-winter-as-you-find-him-and-he-turns-out-to-be-a-thoroughly/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [The intellect has only one failing, which, to be sure, is a very considerable one. It has no conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/the-intellect-has-only-one-failing-which-to-be-sure-is-a-very/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) [Explore all 471 James Russell Lowell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) ## More Emerson quotes > [“(On Ralph Waldo Emerson)I love all men who dive. Any fish can swim near the surface, but it takes a great whale to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/on-ralph-waldo-emerson-i-love-all-men-who-dive-any-fish-can-swim-near/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [“Your goodness must have some edge to it -- else it is none.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/your-goodness-must-have-some-edge-to-it-else-it-is-none/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Emerson loved the good and his life was a symphony of peace and harmony, Carlyle hated the bad, and his life was a record…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/emerson-loved-the-good-and-his-life-was-a-symphony-of-peace-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life. Ralph Waldo Emerson.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenz-font/he-who-is-not-everyday-conquering-some-fear-has-not-learned-the/) Lorenz Font > [“Why is a man with a knife after your blood? Who sent him? I would like to write the fellow a letter of thanks!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-peters/why-is-a-man-with-a-knife-after-your-blood-who-sent-him-i-would-like/) [Elizabeth Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-peters/) > [“For a time Emerson politely endeavored to conceal his boredom - like most men, he is profoundly disinterested in all children except his own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-peters/for-a-time-emerson-politely-endeavored-to-conceal-his-boredom-like/) [Elizabeth Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-peters/) > [Emerson was not passionate about abolition. He wasn't a passionate person. He was a cool intellectual, and I think he probably was a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-irvin-painter/emerson-was-not-passionate-about-abolition-he-wasn-t-a-passionate/) [Nell Irvin Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-irvin-painter/) > [“You know, Scarlett, Rhett didn't give a damn, and frankly, I don't either. - Emerson”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myra-mcentire/you-know-scarlett-rhett-didn-t-give-a-damn-and-frankly-i-don-t-either/) [Myra McEntire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myra-mcentire/) > [Love what is simple and beautiful. These are the essentials.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/love-what-is-simple-and-beautiful-these-are-the-essentials/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. –Ralph Waldo Emerson”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/improve-life-books/the-only-person-you-are-destined-to-become-is-the-person-you-decide/) Improve Life Books > [“He is very much in love with Liz Emerson,and it seems that she will never know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-zhang/he-is-very-much-in-love-with-liz-emerson-and-it-seems-that-she-will/) [Amy Zhang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-zhang/) > [Thought and knowledge are natures in which apparatus and pretension avail nothing. Gowns, and pecuniary foundations, though of towns of gold, can never countervail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/thought-and-knowledge-are-natures-in-which-apparatus-and-pretension/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“I appeal from your customs. I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. If you can love me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-appeal-from-your-customs-i-must-be-myself-i-cannot-break-myself-any/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Emerson was the chief figure in the American transcendental movement, a fact that complicates all accounts of him in literary or cultural history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-mumford-jones/emerson-was-the-chief-figure-in-the-american-transcendental-movement/) [Howard Mumford Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-mumford-jones/) Browse all 74 Emerson quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There comes Emerson first, whose rich words, every one, Are like gold nails in temples to hang trophies on.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James Russell Lowell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/there-comes-emerson-first-whose-rich-words-every-one-are-like-gold/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Emerson" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/there-comes-emerson-first-whose-rich-words-every-one-are-like-gold/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/571/james-russell-lowell-561_emerson_there-comes-emerson-first-whose-rich-wor_2649411.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/571/james-russell-lowell-561_emerson_there-comes-emerson-first-whose-rich-wor_2649411.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/571/james-russell-lowell-561_emerson_there-comes-emerson-first-whose-rich-wor_2649411.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There comes Emerson first, whose rich words, every one, Are like gold nails in temples to hang trophies on.” — James Russell Lowell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "James Russell Lowell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There comes Emerson first, whose rich...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/there-comes-emerson-first-whose-rich-words-every-one-are-like-gold/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/there-comes-emerson-first-whose-rich-words-every-one-are-like-gold/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```