Content tagged ralphwaldoemerson

Quotes Collected

Every really able man, if you talk sincerely with him, considers his work, however much admired, as far short of what it should be. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, … emerson/39

In certain men digestion and sex absorb the vital force, and the stronger these are, the individual is so much weaker. The more of these drones perish, … emerson/38

When each comes forth from his mother's womb, the gate of gifts closes behind him. Let him value his hands and feet, he has but one pair. So he has but … emerson/37

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 … emerson/36

Man Thinking must not be subdued by his instruments. Books are for the scholars' idle times. When he can read God directly, the hour is too precious … emerson/35

Meek young men grow up in libraries, believing it their duty to accept the views which Cicero, which Locke, which Bacon, have given; forgetful that that … emerson/34

I believe it is the conviction of the purest men that the net amount of man and man does not much vary. Each is incomparably superior to his companion … emerson/33

But there are no such men as we fable; no Jesus, nor Pericles, nor Caesar, nor Angelo, nor Washington, such as we have made. We consecrate a great deal … emerson/32

A man who cannot be acquainted with me taxes me, looking from afar at me ordains that a part of my labor shall go to this or that whimsical end---not … emerson/31

For no man can write anything who does not think that what he writes is for the time the history of the world; or do anything well who does not esteem … emerson/30

He is a good man who can receive a gift well. We are either glad or sorry at a gift, and both emotions are unbecoming. Some violence I think is done, … emerson/29

Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. ... it is a cold, lifeless business when you go to the shops to buy me something which … emerson/28

Flowers and fruits are always fit presents; flowers, because they are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. … emerson/27

I could better eat with one who did not respect the truth or the laws than with a sloven and unpresentable person. Moral qualities rule the world, but … emerson/26

Manners aim to facilitate life, to get rid of impediments and bring the man pure to energize. They aid our dealing and conversation as a railway aids … emerson/25

The purest literary talent appears at one time great, at another time small, but character is of stellar and undiminishable greatness. -- Ralph Waldo … emerson/24

There is no adaption or universal applicability in men, but each has his special talent, and the mastery of successful men consists in adroitly keeping … emerson/23

All our days are so unprofitable while they pass, that 'tis wonderful where or when we ever got anything of this which we call wisdom, poetry, virtue. … emerson/22

The young man reveres men of genius, because, to speak truly, they are more himself than he is. They receive the soul as he also receives, but they more. -- … emerson/21

When I came at last to Rome and saw with eyes the pictures, I found that genius left to novices the gay and fantastic and ostentatious, and itself pierced … emerson/20

There is no statue like this living man, with his infinite advantage over all ideal sculpture, of perpetual variety. ... No mannerist made these varied … emerson/19

Thus in our fine arts, not imitation but creation is the aim. In landscapes the painter should give the suggestion of a fairer creation than we know. … emerson/18

But lest I should mislead any when I have my own head and obey my whims, let me remind the reader that I am only an experimenter. Do not set the least … emerson/17

What I write, whilst I write it, seems the most natural thing in the world; but yesterday I saw a dreary vacuity in this direction in which now I see … emerson/16

The characteristics of heroism is its persistency. All men have wandering impulses, fits and starts of generosity. But when you have chosen your part, … emerson/15

A great man scarcely knows how he dines, how he dresses; but without railing or precision his living is natural and poetic. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, … emerson/14

... hospitality must be for service and not for show, or it pulls down the host. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Heroism", p. 133 emerson/13

We write from inspiration and antagonism, as well as from experience. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Prudence", p. 116 emerson/12

What right have I to write on prudence, whereof I have little, and that of negative sort? ... I have no skill to make money spend well, no genius in … emerson/11

You shall have very useful and cheering discourse at several times with two several men, but let all three of you come together and you shall not have … emerson/10

Our intellectual and active powers increase with our affection. The scholar sits down to write, and all his years of meditation do not furnish him with … emerson/9

If you visit your friend, why need you apologize for not having visited him, and waste his time and deface your own act? Visit him now. Let him feel … emerson/8

The great man knew not that he was great. It took a century or two for that fact to appear. What he did, he did because he must; it was the most natural … emerson/7

And why drag this dead weight of Sunday school over the whole Christendom? It is natural and beautiful that childhood should inquire and maturity should … emerson/6

No man ever stated his griefs as lightly as he might. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Spiritual Laws", p. 69 emerson/5

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 … emerson/4

Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force a whole life's cultivation; but of the adopted … emerson/3

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply … emerson/2

There is one mind common to all individual men. ... What Plato has thought, he may think; what a saint has felt, he may feel; what at any time has befallen … emerson/1