Ralph Waldo Emerson

Blame is safer than praise.

Make your own Bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet.

If we live truly, we shall see truly.

A man’s library is a sort of harem.

Them meaning of good and bad, of better and worse, is simply helping or hurting.

Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can.

Your manuscript is both good and original; but the parts that are good are not original, and the parts that are original are not good.

Ignorant kindness may have the effect of cruelty; but to be angry with it as if it were direct cruelty would be an ignorant unkindness.

To a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip, an they who edit and read it are old women over their tea.

Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.

I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works. An assault upon a town is a bad thing; but starving it is still worse.

Sometimes we are inclined to class those who are once-and-a-half witted with the half-witted, because we appreciate only a third part of their wit.

The resistance to the unpleasant situation is the root of suffering.

The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.

It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.

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

Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

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

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.

The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.