Quote 4 of 40

From Emerson's Essays, by Ralph Waldo Emerson

A great man is always willing to be little.  Whilst he sits on the
cushion of advantages, he goes to sleep.  When he is pushed,
tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been
put on his wits, on his manhood; he has gained facts; learns his
ignorance; is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and
real skill.  The wise man throws himself on the side of his
assailants.  It is more his interest than it is theirs to find his
weak point.
		-- Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Compensation", p. 63

Tags: sleep moderation insanity wits manhood greatman wiseman conceit assailants weakpoint ralphwaldoemerson