Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some will always be above others. Destroy the inequality today, and it will appear again tomorrow.

The office of the scholar is to cheer, to raise, and to guide men by showing them facts amidst appearances. He plies the slow, unhonored, and unpaid task of observation. He is the world’s eye.

We must hold a man amenable to reason for the choice of his daily craft or profession. It is not an excuse any longer for his deeds that they are the custom of his trade. What business has he with an evil trade?

The hues of the opal, the light of the diamond, are not to be seen if the eye is too near.

As soon as beauty is sought not from religion and love, but for pleasure, it degrades the seeker.

We judge of man’s wisdom by his hope.

Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.

What makes life dreary is the want of a motive.

The only secrets are the secrets that keep themselves.

Every man has his own vocation, talent is the call.

He that embarks on the voyage of life will always wish to advance rather by the impulse of the wind than the strokes of the oar; and many fold in their passage; while they lie waiting for the gale.

Your manuscript is both good and original; but the parts that are good are not original, and the parts that are original are not good.

Man can climb to the highest summits, but he cannot dwell there long.

In the end, people will judge you anyway, so don’t live our life impressing other – live your life impressing yourself.

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

Pasteboard pies and paper flowers are being banished from the stage by the growth of that power of accurate observation which is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it….

Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.

He will be loved when dead, who was envied when he was living.

Dare to think for yourself.

Every actual State is corrupt. Good men must not obey laws too well.

Technique is noticed most markedly in the case of those who have not mastered it.