Ralph Waldo Emerson

Revolutions go not backward.

The office of the scholar is to cheer, to raise, and to guide men by showing them facts amidst appearances. He plies the slow, unhonored, and unpaid task of observation. He is the world’s eye.

The faith that stands on authority is not faith.

It makes a great difference in the force of a sentence, whether a man be behind it or no.

The miracles of genius always rest on profound convictions which refuse to be analyzed.

The artists must be sacrificed to their art. Like the bees, they must put their lives into the sting they give.

Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Fear always springs from ignorance.

Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.

A wicked fellow is the most pious when he takes to it. He’ll beat you all at piety.

Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life.

Prudence operates on life in the same manner as rule of composition; it produces vigilance rather than elevation; rather prevents loss than procures advantage; and often miscarriages, but seldom reaches either power or honor.

Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est (Knowledge Itself Is Power)

It isn’t making mistakes that’s critical; it’s correcting them and getting on with the principal task.

The first half of life consists of the capacity to enjoy without the chance; the last half consists of the chance without the capacity.

Welcome evermore to gods and men is the self-helping man. For him all doors are flung wide: him all tongues greet, all honors crown, all eyes follow with desire. Our love goes out to him and embraces him, because he did not need it. We solicitously and apologetically caress and celebrate him, because he held on his way and scorned our disapprobation. The gods loved him because men hated him.

Let the world burn through you. Throw the prism light, white hot, on paper.

In the best, the friendliest and simplest relations flattery or praise is necessary, just as grease is necessary to keep wheels turning.

Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones.

Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach, and even this negative recompense has been yet granted to very few.

Wisdom begins in wonder.