Ralph Waldo Emerson

A man must consider what a rich realm he abdicates when he becomes a conformist.

As soon as there is life there is danger.

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

To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs.

Today is a king in disguise.

As the Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain the strength of the temptation we resist.

Wise men make more opportunities than they find.

This comes of James teaching me to think for myself, and never to hold back out of fear of what other people may think of me. It works beautifully as long as I think the same things as he does.

What a new face courage puts on everything!

The only living works are those which have drained much of the author’s own life into them.

The really efficient laborer will be found not to crowd his day with work, but will saunter to his task surrounded by a wide halo of ease and leisure.

Hostesses who entertain much must make up their parties as ministers make up their cabinets, on grounds other than personal liking.

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

In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.

The universe seems bankrupt as soon as we begin to discuss the characters of individuals.

I was exceedingly delighted with the waltz, and also with the polka. These differ in name, but there the difference ceases

Nature makes us poor only when we want necessaries, but custom gives the name of poverty to the want of superfluities.

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with it.

Most men would feel insulted if it were proposed to employ them in throwing stones over a wall, and then in throwing them back, merely that they might earn their wages. But many are no more worthily employed now.

We are rich only through what we give, and poor only through what we refuse.