Ralph Waldo Emerson

It does not need that a poem should be long. Every word was once a poem. Every new relationship is a new word.

The reason why men do not obey us is because they see the mud at the bottom of our eye.

At the entrance of a second person, hypocrisy begins.

All our progress is an unfolding, like a vegetable bud. You have first an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge as the plant has root, bud, and fruit. Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason.

For what avail the plough or sail, Or land or life, if freedom fail?

Every burned book or house enlightens the world; every suppressed or expunged word reverberates through the earth from side to side.

Upon retiring, sleep as if you had entered your last sleep. Upon awakening, leave your bed behind you instantly as if you had cast away a pair of old shoes.

Sincerity is the highest complement you can pay.

If we live truly, we shall see truly.

Men being born with a title to perfect freedom and uncontrolled enjoyment of all the rights and privileges of the law of nature . . . no one can be put out of his estate and subjected to the political view of another, without his consent.

In the best, the friendliest and simplest relations flattery or praise is necessary, just as grease is necessary to keep wheels turning.

It is dangerous to be sincere unless you are also stupid.

If we had more time for discussion we should probably have made a great many more mistakes.

Conscientious people are apt to see their duty in that which is the most painful course.

No man is a hypocrite in his pleasures.

Perfect freedom is reserved for the man who lives by his work and in that work he does what he wants to do.

An Englishman thinks he is moral when he is only uncomfortable.

My religion? Well, my dear, I am a Millionaire. That is my religion.

Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other.

If you are idle, be not solitary; if you are solitary, be not idle.

Though analogy is often misleading, it is the least misleading thing we have.