Ralph Waldo Emerson

Courage charms us, because it indicates that a man loves an idea better than all things in the world, that he is thinking neither of his bed, nor his dinner, nor his money, but will venture all to put in act the invisible thought of his mind.

The essence of greatness is the perception that virtue is enough.

Self-command is the main discipline.

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.

Enthusiasm is the leaping lightning, not to be measured by the horse-power of the understanding.

The good lawyer is not the man who has an eye to every side and angle of contingency, and qualifies all his qualifications, but who throws himself on your part so heartily, that he can get you out of a scrape.

A man’s library is a sort of harem.

I don’t let my mouth say nothin’ my head can’t stand.

When you’ve got them by their wallets, their hearts and minds will follow.

Can anybody remember when the times were not hard, and money not scarce?

A broad margin of leisure is as beautiful in a man’s life as in a book. Haste makes waste, no less in life than in housekeeping. Keep the time, observe the hours of the universe, not of the cars.

If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.

Failure at some point in your life is inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable.

Remember, when life’s path is steep, to keep your mind even.

Do what good thou canst unknown, and be not vain of what ought rather to be felt than seen.

There is a great deal of human nature in people.

The only secrets are the secrets that keep themselves.

We must have infinite faith in each other. If we have not, we must never let it leak out that we have not.

Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.

Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.

The end of the human race will be that it will eventually die of civilization.