--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We will walk on our own feet; we will…" description: "\"We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds... A nation of men will for the first time exist, because ea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_american-scholar_we-will-walk-on-our-own-feet-we-will-wor_2047133.jpg" --- # We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own… ![“We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds... A nation of men will for the first time exist, because each believes himself inspired by the Divine Soul which also inspires all men.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_american-scholar_we-will-walk-on-our-own-feet-we-will-wor_2047133.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_american-scholar_we-will-walk-on-our-own-feet-we-will-wor_2047133.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_american-scholar_we-will-walk-on-our-own-feet-we-will-wor_2047133.jpg) > “We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds... A nation of men will for the first time exist, because each believes himself inspired by the Divine Soul which also inspires all men.” [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. Individuals should act independently, think freely, and trust their inner divine inspiration. **In simple terms:** Be self‑reliant and true to inner voice. Key Takeaway Cultivate independence and inner confidence. Themes individualism self‑reliance spirituality Mood philosophical motivational Type inspirational reflective When to use this quote - Personal decision‑making - creative work - social activism Key Concepts Inner guidance personal sovereignty Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance self‑reliance with collaboration? - What sources guide your inner voice? A Different Perspective Too much independence may ignore community. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American scholar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-scholar/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [A dress makes no sense unless it inspires men to take it off of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francoise-sagan/a-dress-makes-no-sense-unless-it-inspires-men-to-take-it-off-of-you/) [Francoise Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francoise-sagan/) > [“A dress makes no sense unless it inspires men to want to take it off you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francoise-sagan/a-dress-makes-no-sense-unless-it-inspires-men-to-want-to-take-it-off/) [Francoise Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francoise-sagan/) > [“The Change you create;Known or unknown to her the average woman inspires men attempt the extraordinary to impress her. AC Quinn”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-quinn/the-change-you-create-known-or-unknown-to-her-the-average-woman/) [A.C. Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-quinn/) > [If you have a nation of men who have risen to that height of moral cultivation that they will not declare war or carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-you-have-a-nation-of-men-who-have-risen-to-that-height-of-moral/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/and-he-has-made-from-one-blood-every-nation-of-men-to-dwell-on-all/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [It will be necessary for us to be a nation of men, and not laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cheney/it-will-be-necessary-for-us-to-be-a-nation-of-men-and-not-laws/) [Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cheney/) > [Of course, he who has put forth his total strength in fit actions, has the richest return of wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/of-course-he-who-has-put-forth-his-total-strength-in-fit-actions-has/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The true scholar grudges every opportunity of action passed, by, as a loss of power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-true-scholar-grudges-every-opportunity-of-action-passed-by-as-a/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Give me insight into today and you may have the antique and future worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/give-me-insight-into-today-and-you-may-have-the-antique-and-future/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Action is with the scholar subordinate, but it is essential. Without it, he is not yet man. Without it, thought can never ripen into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/action-is-with-the-scholar-subordinate-but-it-is-essential-without-it/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Character is higher than intellect... A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/character-is-higher-than-intellect-a-great-soul-will-be-strong-to/) [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/) > [“Thinking is the function. Living is the functionary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/thinking-is-the-function-living-is-the-functionary/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Meek young men grow up in libraries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/meek-young-men-grow-up-in-libraries/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [It is one soul which animates all men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/it-is-one-soul-which-animates-all-men/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. 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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. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More American scholar quotes > [It is one soul which animates all men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/it-is-one-soul-which-animates-all-men/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off., http://bsss.ner.istmein.de/sf6Obcdy.html Dhea with adderall, 020633, http://csss.ner.istmein.de/cw7Hgvfk.html Erfahrungsberichte losartan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosravif/let-not-him-that-girdeth-on-his-harness-boast-himself-as-he-that/) Rosravif > [Meek young men grow up in libraries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/meek-young-men-grow-up-in-libraries/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Thinking is the function. Living is the functionary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/thinking-is-the-function-living-is-the-functionary/) [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/) > [Character is higher than intellect... A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/character-is-higher-than-intellect-a-great-soul-will-be-strong-to/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Exactly why the sources were intertwined in this way is unclear. Exploring this issue really involves asking two questions: (1) Why were all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-zvi-brettler/exactly-why-the-sources-were-intertwined-in-this-way-is-unclear/) Marc Zvi Brettler > [“Andrew Moraviscik, one of the best American scholars of Europe, points out that once you exclude translators and clerical workers, the European Commission employs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fareed-zakaria/andrew-moraviscik-one-of-the-best-american-scholars-of-europe-points/) [Fareed Zakaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fareed-zakaria/) > [Action is with the scholar subordinate, but it is essential. Without it, he is not yet man. Without it, thought can never ripen into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/action-is-with-the-scholar-subordinate-but-it-is-essential-without-it/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Give me insight into today and you may have the antique and future worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/give-me-insight-into-today-and-you-may-have-the-antique-and-future/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. —WARREN BENNIS, American scholar, organizational consultant, and author, widely regarded as a pioneer of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-harlan/leadership-is-the-capacity-to-translate-vision-into-reality-warren/) [Danielle Harlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-harlan/) > [“1. Close Friend, someone who got yo back, yo "main nigga." 2. Rooted in blackness and the Black experience. From a middle-aged social worker:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-sammy-alim-and-geneva-smitherman/1-close-friend-someone-who-got-yo-back-yo-main-nigga-2-rooted-in/) H. Sammy Alim and Geneva Smitherman > [The true scholar grudges every opportunity of action passed, by, as a loss of power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-true-scholar-grudges-every-opportunity-of-action-passed-by-as-a/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Of course, he who has put forth his total strength in fit actions, has the richest return of wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/of-course-he-who-has-put-forth-his-total-strength-in-fit-actions-has/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I feel now, that Arabia could easily be evangelized within the next thirty years if it were not for the wicked selfishness of Christians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-marinus-zwemer/i-feel-now-that-arabia-could-easily-be-evangelized-within-the-next/) [Samuel Marinus Zwemer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-marinus-zwemer/) [Browse all 35 American scholar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-scholar/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds... 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