--- 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 himself..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdb/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_conviction_there-is-a-time-in-every-man-s-education_364117.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/bdb/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_conviction_there-is-a-time-in-every-man-s-education_364117.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdb/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_conviction_there-is-a-time-in-every-man-s-education_364117.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bdb/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_conviction_there-is-a-time-in-every-man-s-education_364117.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.” [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 argues that envy and imitation hinder personal growth; true fulfillment comes from recognizing one's unique destiny and laboring diligently on it. **In simple terms:** Ignore envy, avoid copying, work your own path. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑reliance through effort. Themes self‑reliance individualism work ethic Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - artistic creation - entrepreneurship - personal setbacks Key Concepts personal destiny creative labor self‑discovery Questions to Reflect On - What unique strengths can you develop? - How does personal effort shape your purpose? 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I expand and live in the warm day like corn and melons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-have-no-hostility-to-nature-but-a-child-s-love-to-it-i-expand-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [When a man lives with God, his voice shall be as sweet as the murmur of the brook and rustle of the corn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/when-a-man-lives-with-god-his-voice-shall-be-as-sweet-as-the-murmur/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Work and thou canst escape the reward; whether the work be fine or course, planting corn or writing epics, so only it be honest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/work-and-thou-canst-escape-the-reward-whether-the-work-be-fine-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself. 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When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. 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