Ralph Waldo Emerson

The soul of God is poured into the world through the thoughts of men.

To the dull mind all nature is leaden. To the illumined mind the whole world burns and sparkles with light.

The revelation of Thought takes men out of servitude into freedom.

There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right.

Death comes to all, but great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold.

Be a little careful about your library. Do you foresee what you will do with it? Very little to be sure. But the real question is, What it will do with you?

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

If you and I are having a single thought of violence or hatred against anyone in the world at this moment, we are contributing to the wounding of the world.

Power over others is weakness disguised as strength. True power is within and available to you now.

We have a criminal jury system which is superior to any in the world; and its efficiency is only marred by the difficulty of finding twelve men every day who don’t know anything and can’t read.

If a madman were to come into this room with a stick in his hand, no doubt we should pity the state of his mind; but our primary consideration would be to take care of ourselves. We should knock him down first, and pity him afterwards.

The sons of Judah have to choose that God may again choose them. The divine principle of our race is action, choice, resolved memory.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

No man ever became great or good except through many and great mistakes.

In this world there is always danger for those who are afraid of it.

The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.

Don’t be a cynic and disconsolate preacher. Don’t bewail and moan. Omit the negative propositions. Challenge us with incessant affirmatives. Don’t waste yourself in rejection, or bark against the bad, but chant the beauty of the good.

Everyone has his day and some days last longer than others.

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

Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right; decide on what you think is right and stick to it.

Choose the life that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable.