Ralph Waldo Emerson

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

It is one of the beautiful compensations in this life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.

Nothing is more simple than greatness; indeed, to be simple is to be great.

Liberty is slow fruit. It is never cheap; it is made difficult because freedom is the accomplishment and perfectness of man.

The President has paid dear for his White House. It has commonly cost him all his peace, and the best of his manly attributes. To preserve for a short time so conspicuous an appearance before the world, he is content to eat dust before the real masters who stand erect behind the throne.

The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet.

If they had not landed there would be some reason for celebrating the fact.

Work and thou canst escape the reward; whether the work be fine or course, planting corn or writing epics, so only it be honest work, done to thine own approbation, it shall earn a reward to the senses as well as to the thought.

The lofty pine is oftenest shaken by the winds; High towers fall with a heavier crash; And the lightning strikes the highest mountain.

Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.

Whenever you wish to do anything against the law, Cicely, always consult a good solicitor first.

The fibers of all things have their tension and are strained like the strings of an instrument.

Which is worse? The wolf who cries before eating the lamb or the wolf who does not.

There is only one good – knowledge; and only one evil – ignorance.

I’ve learned that from my husband, that sort of, you know, ability to not get too high or too low with changes and bumps in the road.

Standing on the doorstep of desire, I hold this bouquet like a gun and these vows like a petition for the death penalty.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and struggle; …they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each other; age creeps upon them; infirmities follow; …those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief. It comes at last-the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them-and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence, …a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever.

Exploring the mysteries of myself and the world. Sensual, powerful, wise… on my path…

It is possible to be free and loving no matter what your circumstances.

A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the true value of time, and will not suffer it to pass away in unnecessary pain.