Ralph Waldo Emerson

People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.

All conservatives are such from personal defects. They have been effeminated by position or nature, born halt and blind, through luxury of their parents, and can only, like invalids, act on the defensive.

There is nothing capricious in nature and the implanting of a desire indicates that its gratification is in the constitution of the creature that feel it.

There are three wants which never can be satisfied: that of the rich, who wants something more; that of the sick, who wants something different; and that of the traveler, who says, Anywhere but here.

As soon as beauty is sought not from religion and love, but for pleasure, it degrades the seeker.

I didn’t find my friends; the good Lord gave them to me.

There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy.

Friendships begin with liking or gratitude roots that can be pulled up.

To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts. Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour.

Some natures are too good to be spoiled by praise.

There are many victories worse than a defeat.

A crank is someone with a new idea – until it catches on.

The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it cannot be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.

We cannot see things that stare us in the face until the hour comes that the mind is ripened.

You must often make erasures if you mean to write what is worthy of being read a second time; and don’t labor for the admiration of the crowd, but be content with a few choice readers.

No poems can please for long or live that are written by water-drinkers.

Nothing is so exhilarating in life as to be shot at with no result.

To have a great man for a friend seems pleasant to those who have never tried it; those who have, fear it.

Talent alone cannot make a writer. There must be a man behind the book; a personality which, by birth and quality, is pledged to the doctrines there set forth, and which exists to see and state things so, and not otherwise.

The surest poison is time.

What is once well done is done forever.