Ralph Waldo Emerson

If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap, than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.

A few strong instincts and a few plain rules suffice us.

Nature and books belong to the eyes that see them.

Our best thoughts come from others.

At the entrance of a second person, hypocrisy begins.

O friend, never strike sail to a fear! Come into port greatly, or sail with God the seas.

Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.

A man who has no office to go to – I don’t care who he is – is a trial of which you can have no conception.

Classic art was the art of necessity: modern romantic art bears the stamp of caprice and chance.

Esther liked books out where everyone could see them, a sort of graphic index to the intricate labyrinth of her mind arrayed to impress the most casual guest, a system of immediate introduction which she had found to obtain in a number of grimy intellectual households in Greenwich Village.

Tis a superstition to insist on a special diet. All is made at last of the same chemical atoms.

What is Man? Man is a noisome bacillus whom Our Heavenly Father created because he was disappointed in the monkey.

We need not worry so much about what man descends from; it’s what he descends to that shames the human race.

A hen is only a egg’s way of making another egg.

All of humanity is living in a dream world, but suffering real consequences.

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

All generalizations are false, including this one.

The most beautiful woman is the one who is never divulging, she knows what she is and everything else is worth her.

Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.

He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.

The world will only, in the end, follow those who have despised as well as served it.