Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hitch your wagon to a star. Let us not fag in paltry works which serve our pot and bag alone.

The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons.

Most of the shadows of life are caused by standing in our own sunshine.

We do not count a man’s years until he has nothing else to count.

Health is the condition of wisdom, and the sign is cheerfulness – an open and noble temper.

Society is a masked ball, where every one hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding.

What old people say you cannot do, you try and find that you can. Old deeds for old people, and new deeds for new.

It may be that we shall, by a process of sublime irony, have reached a stage in this story where safety will be the sturdy child of terror, and survival the twin brother of annihilation.

Have the fearless attitude of a hero and the loving heart of a child.

We must substitute courage for caution.

Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss. Nothing is as rich. Nothing is more real.

One way of getting an idea of our fellow-countrymen’s miseries is to go and look at their pleasures.

I think that somehow, we learn who we really are and then live with that decision.

They must first judge themselves, that presume to censure others: And such will not be apt to overshoot the Mark. We are too ready to retaliate, rather than forgive, or gain by Love and Information. And yet we could hurt no Man that we believe loves us. Let us then try what Love will do: For if Men did once see we Love them, we should soon find they would not harm us. Force may subdue, but Love gains: And he that forgives first, wins the [Laurel]. If I am even with my Enemy, the Debt is paid; but if I forgive it, I oblige him for ever.

We are always paid for our suspicion by finding what we suspect.

A man’s true delight is to do the things he was made for.

It always seems impossible until its done.

Parentage is a very important profession, but no test of fitness for it is ever imposed in the interest of the children.

More knowledge may be gained of a man’s real character by a short conversation with one of his servants than from a formal and studied narrative, begun with his pedigree and ended with his funeral.

Nuptial love makes mankind; friendly love perfects it; but wanton love corrupts and debases it.

As to the adjective, when in doubt strike it out.