--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a time in every man's education…" description: "\"“There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himsel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/440/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_education_there-is-a-time-in-every-man-s-education_1938223.jpg" --- # There is a time in every man's education when he arrives… ![“There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better for worse as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his…” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/440/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_education_there-is-a-time-in-every-man-s-education_1938223.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/440/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_education_there-is-a-time-in-every-man-s-education_1938223.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/440/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_education_there-is-a-time-in-every-man-s-education_1938223.jpg) > ““There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better for worse as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till. The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried. Not for nothing one face, one character, one fact makes much impression on him, and another none. This sculpture in the memory is not without preéstablishcd harmony. The eye was placed where one ray should fall, that it might testify of that particular ray. We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents. It may be safely trusted as proportionate and of good issues, so it be faithfully imparted, but God will not have his work made manifest by cowards. A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise shall give hint no peace. It is a deliverance which does not deliver. In the attempt his genius deserts him; no muse befriends; no invention, no hope.”” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage stresses personal responsibility, self‑trust, and the necessity of hard work to realize one's unique potential, warning against imitation and cowardice. **In simple terms:** Believe in yourself and work hard; avoid copying others. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑reliance and purposeful effort. Themes self‑reliance work individuality courage purpose Mood reflective determined inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career development - creative projects - academic research - entrepreneurship - personal challenges Key Concepts existentialism humanism personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance self‑reliance with community responsibility? - What steps help you discover your unique strengths? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on individualism may ignore social support and systemic barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Sculpture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sculpture/) [Self reliance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-reliance/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-a-time-in-every-man-s-education-when-he-arrives-at-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Envy is ignorance, Imitation is Suicide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/envy-is-ignorance-imitation-is-suicide/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [There comes a time in each man's education in which he comes to the conclusion that envy is ignorance, imitation is suicide, and society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-comes-a-time-in-each-man-s-education-in-which-he-comes-to-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-a-time-in-every-man-s-education-when-he-arrives-at-the-2/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The gifts given to us by God must not be relinquished to those who speak ill of them and who are moved by envy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-brunelleschi/the-gifts-given-to-us-by-god-must-not-be-relinquished-to-those-who/) [Filippo Brunelleschi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-brunelleschi/) > [I envy your ignorance, I hear that it's bliss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/i-envy-your-ignorance-i-hear-that-it-s-bliss/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [There is a time in every mans education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emerson/there-is-a-time-in-every-mans-education-when-he-arrives-at-the/) [Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emerson/) > [The art of sculpture is long ago perished to any real effect... it is the game of a rude and youthful people, and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-art-of-sculpture-is-long-ago-perished-to-any-real-effect-it-is/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The god or hero of the sculptor is always represented in a transition from that which is representable to the senses, to that which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-god-or-hero-of-the-sculptor-is-always-represented-in-a-transition/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Picture and sculpture are the celebrations and festivities of form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/picture-and-sculpture-are-the-celebrations-and-festivities-of-form/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I have heard that stiff people lose something of their awkwardness under high ceilings, and in spacious halls. 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Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. 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The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried. Not for nothing one face, one character, one fact makes much impression on him, and another none. This sculpture in the memory is not without preéstablishcd harmony. The eye was placed where one ray should fall, that it might testify of that particular ray. We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents. It may be safely trusted as proportionate and of good issues, so it be faithfully imparted, but God will not have his work made manifest by cowards. A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise shall give hint no peace. It is a deliverance which does not deliver. 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