Ralph Waldo Emerson

Travel is a fools paradise.

Manners are the happy ways of doing things; each one a stroke of genius or of love, now repeated and hardened into usage, they form at last a rich varnish, with which the routine of life is washed, and its details adorned. If they are superficial, so are the dew-drops which give such a depth to the morning meadows.

The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.

The measure of a great leader, is their success in bringing everyone around to their opinion twenty years later.

He is great who is what he is from nature, and who never reminds us of others.

Cities force growth and make people talkative and entertaining, but they also make them artificial.

I believe in one thing only, the power of the human will

Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world. Unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. All progress, therefore, depends on unreasonable people.

Gold will be slave or master.

If you want the time to pass quickly, just give your note for 90 days.

By common consent of all the nations and all the ages the most valuable thing in this world is the homage of men, whether deserved or undeserved.

Our country is that spot to which our heart is bound.

Big doors swing on little hinges.

One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing.

We judge of man’s wisdom by his hope.

Hatred is the coward’s revenge for being intimidated.

Familiarity breeds contempt and children.

It is only because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually.

Love is indeed Heaven upon Earth; since Heaven above would not be Heaven without it: For where there is not Love; there is Fear: But perfect Love casts out Fear. And yet we naturally fear most to offend what we most Love. What we Love, we’ll Hear; what we Love, we’ll Trust; and what we Love, we’ll serve, ay, and suffer for too. If you love me (says our Blessed Redeemer) keep my Commandments. Why? Why then he’ll Love us; then we shall be his Friends; then he’ll send us the Comforter; then whatsoever we ask, we shall receive; and then where he is we shall be also, and that for ever. Behold the Fruits of Love; the Power, Vertue, Benefit and Beauty of Love! Love is above all; and when it prevails in us all, we shall all be Lovely, and in Love with God and one with another.

Poets, like friends to whom you are in debt, you hate.

Poetry implies the whole truth, philosophy expresses only a particle of it.