Quotes By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our admiration of the antique is not admiration of the old, but of the natural.

The martyr cannot be dishonored. Every lash inflicted is a tongue of fame; every prison a more illustrious abode.

Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think.

Doing well is the result of doing good. That's what capitalism is all about.

A man is usually more careful of his money than he is of his principles.

Knowledge is knowing that we cannot know.

The reason why the world lacks unity, and lies broken and in heaps, is, because man is disunited with himself.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.

Who hears me, who understands me, becomes mine, a possession for all time.

Each age, it is found, must write its own books; or rather, each generation for the next succeeding.

Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies.

Society is always taken by surprise at any new example of common sense.

The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.

Make yourself necessary to somebody.

Our best thoughts come from others.

The only way to have a friend is to be one.

Every wall is a door.

There is a blessed necessity by which the interest of men is always driving them to the right; and, again, making all crime mean and ugly.

Every man in his lifetime needs to thank his faults.

Our faith comes in moments; our vice is habitual.

The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet.

Truth is the property of no individual but is the treasure of all men.

A great man is always willing to be little.

Nothing external to you has any power over you.

We are always getting ready to live but never living.

What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.

When nature has work to be done, she creates a genius to do it.

All mankind love a lover.

Use what language you will, you can never say anything but what you are.

A good indignation brings out all one's powers.