Ralph Waldo Emerson

That which we do not believe, we cannot adequately say; even though we may repeat the words ever so often.

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.

Make yourself necessary to somebody.

See only that thou work and thou canst not escape the reward.

In conversation the game is, to say something new with old words. And you shall observe a man of the people picking his way along, step by step, using every time an old boulder, yet never setting his foot on an old place.

A great man is always willing to be little.

His scorn of the great is repeated too often to be real; no man thinks much of that which he despises.

Might, could, would – they are contemptible auxiliaries.

If you live for people’s acceptance, you’ll die from their rejections.

Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it.

What I mean is you make the world less ugly just by living in it.

Laughter is the greatest weapon we have and we, as humans, use it the least.

His heart was as great as the world, but there was no room in it to hold the memory of a wrong.

What provokes your risibility, Sir? Have I said anything that you understand? Then I ask pardon of the rest of the company.

Ladies and gentleman are permitted to have friends in the kennel, but not in the kitchen.

I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore there be any kindness I can show…let me do it now.- William Penn

Old age is the most unexpected of all the things that can happen to a man.

Merry Christmas! the man threatened.

Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it.

He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise.

You are going to let the fear of poverty govern you life and your reward will be that you will eat, but you will not live.