Ralph Waldo Emerson

Old and new make the warp and woof of every moment. There is no thread that is not a twist of these two strands. By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote.

Painting was called silent poetry and poetry speaking painting.

The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it cannot be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.

Our knowledge is the amassed thought and experience of innumerable minds.

Every reform was once a private opinion, and when it shall be a private opinion again, it will solve the problem of the age.

We are symbols, and inhabit symbols.

Half the vices which the world condemns most loudly have seeds of good in them and require moderate use rather than total abstinence.

There are charms made only for distant admiration.

Difficult do you call it, Sir? I wish it were impossible.

Anyone who thinks must think of the next war as they would of suicide.

We know there is intention and purpose in the universe, because there is intention and purpose in us.

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

Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end, We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate.

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?

When we quarrel, how we wish we had been blameless.

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.

The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.

I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are evil.

He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator.

Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god.

Poor fellow! I think he is in love with you.’ I am not aware of it. And to me it is one of the most odious things in a girl’s life, that there must always be some supposition of falling in love coming between her and any man who is kind to her… I have no ground for the nonsensical vanity of fancying everybody who comes near me is in love with me.