Quotes

Quote 36 of 40

I do not see how any man can afford, for the sake of his nerves and
his nap, to spare any action in which he can partake.  It is pearls
and rubies to his discourse.  Drudgery, calamity, exasperation,
want, are instructors in eloquence and wisdom.  The true scholar
grudges every opportunity of action past by, as a loss of power.  It
is the raw material out of which the intellect molds her splendid
products.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The American Scholar", p.70

Tags: truescholar grudges exasperation drudgery eloquence rubies calamity rawmaterial molds intellect pearls nerves nap discourse sake wisdom