Ralph Waldo Emerson

That which we call character is a reserved force which acts directly by presence, and without means. It is conceived of as a certain undemonstrable force, a familiar or genius, by whose impulses the man is guided, but whose counsels he cannot impart.

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most.

What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.

Ideas must work through the brains and the arms of good and brave men, or they are no better than dreams.

The power which resides in man is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried.

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.

A virtue to be serviceable must, like gold, be alloyed with some commoner, but more durable alloy.

The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go.

Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set.

He who waits to do a great deal of good at once, will never do anything.

We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it.

We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth.

You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds.

Each thought is a nail that is driven In structures that cannot decay; And the mansion at last will be given To us as we build it each day.

Often the surest way to convey misinformation is to tell the strict truth.

The only things one can admire at length are those one admires without knowing why.

We are often deterred from crime by the disgrace of others.

Music causes us to think eloquently.

It is as natural to die as to be born; and to a little infant, perhaps, the one is as painful as the other.

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.

Water is the only drink for a wise man.