Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do not tell me of my obligation to put all poor men in good situations. Are they my poor? I tell thee, thou foolish philanthropist, that I grudge the dollar, the dime, the cent, I give to such men as do not belong to me and to whom I do not belong.

The torpid artist seeks inspiration at any cost, by virtue or by vice, by friend or by fiend, by prayer or by wine.

The hearing ear is always found close to the speaking tongue; and no genius can long or often utter anything which is not invited and gladly entertained by men around him.

How we glow over these novels of passion, when the story is told with any spark of truth and nature! And what fastens attention, in the intercourse of life, like any passage betraying affection between two parties? Perhaps we never saw them before and never shall meet them again. But we see them exchange a glance or betray a deep emotion, and we are no longer strangers. We understand them and take the warmest interest in the development of the romance. All mankind love a lover.

The death of a dear friend, wife, brother, lover, which seemed nothing but privation, somewhat later assumes the aspect of a guide or genius; for it commonly operates revolutions in our way of life, terminates an epoch of infancy or of youth which was waiting to be closed, breaks up a wonted occupation, or a household, or style of living, and allows the formation of new ones more friendly to the growth of character.

We do not quite forgive a giver. The hand that feeds us is in some danger of being bitten.

I’m wary of what goal I set, because then I’ll have to accomplish it.

There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly.

If you really believe it – go for it.

You have nothing to lose. Everything you have acquired of value is locked inside you.

You will reap what you sow,’ rings true again. And you will be reaping it. A good thing to think about.

You must see your goals clearly and specifically before you can set out for them. Hold them in your mind until they become second nature.

Personal discipline, when it becomes a way of life in our personal, family, and career lives, will enable us to do some incredible things.

Just remember, you can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets.

As an entrepreneur, I choose my teachers carefully, very carefully. I am extremely cautious of the people with whom I spend my time and to whom I listen.

If you’re proactive, you don’t have to wait for circumstances or other people to create perspective expanding experiences. You can consciously create your own.

The successful business executive can handle challenges and solve problems at a remarkable clip.

The mind that opens to a new idea never comes back to its original size.

Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.

You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb.