Ralph Waldo Emerson

We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes.

The ship of heaven guides itself and will not accept a wooden rudder.

Mr. Emerson visited Thoreau at the jail, and the meeting between the two philosophers must have been interesting and somewhat dramatic. The account of the meeting was told me by Miss Maria Thoreau Henry Thoreaus auntHenry, why are you here? Waldo, why are you not here?

Life is short, but there is always time for courtesy.

The virtues of society are vices of the saint. The terror of reform is the discovery that we must cast away our virtues, or what we have always esteemed such, into the same pit that has consumed our grosser vices.

Today is a king in disguise.

He liked to like people, therefore people liked him.

Shut your mouth, close your lips, and say something!

If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are depressed, it will cheer you; If you are excited, it will calm you.

Wisdom has its root in goodness, not goodness its root in wisdom.

By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity. Another man’s, I mean.

Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased by tales, so is the other.

There’s not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.

Fame must have enemies, as light must have gnats.

What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined – to strengthen each other – to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories.

Nothing goes by luck in composition. It allows of no tricks. The best you can write will be the best you are.

Remember, no human condition is ever permanent. Then you will not be overjoyed in good fortune nor too scornful in misfortune.

Money is the most important thing in the world. It represents health, strength, honor, generosity, and beauty as conspicuously as the want of it represents illness, weakness, disgrace, meanness, and ugliness.

It’s easy to have faith in yourself and have discipline when you’re a winner, when you’re number one. What you got to have is faith and discipline when you’re not a winner.

The most dangerous people are those who have passion but lack wisdom.