Ralph Waldo Emerson

The god of victory is said to be one-handed, but peace gives victory on both sides.

Music causes us to think eloquently.

The glory of friendship is not in the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is in the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him.

We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes.

The German intellect wants the French sprightliness, the fine practical understanding of the English, and the American adventure; but it has a certain probity, which never rests in a superficial performance, but asks steadily, To what end? A German public asks for a controlling sincerity.

If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.

History may not repeat itself, but it does rhyme a lot

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

A broad margin of leisure is as beautiful in a man’s life as in a book. Haste makes waste, no less in life than in housekeeping. Keep the time, observe the hours of the universe, not of the cars.

It seems to me that the god that is commonly worshipped in civilized countries is not at all divine, though he bears a divine name, but is the overwhelming authority and respectability of mankind combined. Men reverence one another, not yet God.

Truth is the daughter of time, not of authority.

This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal.

Opening amenities are often opening inanities.

One great use of words is to hide our thoughts.

Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.

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

Avoid popularity it has many snares and no real benefit.

These are not dark days: these are great days – the greatest days our country has ever lived.

The measure of a master is his success in bringing all men around to his opinion twenty years later.

Is not marriage an open question, when it is alleged, from the beginning of the world, that such as are in the institution wish to get out, and such as are out wish to get in?

Condense some daily experience into a glowing symbol and an audience is electrified.