Quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson

The lover is made happier by his love than the object of his affection.

We love flattery, even though we are not deceived by it, because it shows that we are of importance enough to be courted.

The escape from all false ties; courage to be what we are; and love of what is simple and beautiful; independence, and cheerful relation, these are the essentials.

Lovers should guard their strangeness. If they forgive too much, all slides into confusion and meanness.

We must be lovers, and at once the impossible becomes possible.

The effect of the indulgence of human affection is a certain cordial exhilaration.

Passion rebuilds the world for the youth. It makes all things alive and significant.

The fox has many tricks. The hedgehog has but one. But that is the best of all.

Jesus Christ belonged to the true race of prophets. He saw with open eye the mystery of the soul. Drawn by its severe harmony, ravished with its beauty, he lived in it and had his being there. Alone in all history, he estimated the greatness of man.

Trust your instinct to the end, though you can render no reason.

Every mind must make its choice between truth and repose. It cannot have both.

Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies.

There are three wants which never can be satisfied: that of the rich, who wants something more; that of the sick, who wants something different; and that of the traveler, who says anywhere but here.

A man in pursuit of greatness feels no little wants.

The disease with which the human mind now labors is want of faith

Discontent is want of self-reliance; it is infirmity of will.

How much we forgive to those who yield us the rare spectacle of heroic manners! We will pardon them the want of books, or arts, and even of gentler virtues. How tenaciously we remember them!

The method of nature: who could ever analyze it?

Men achieve a certain greatness unawares, when working to another aim.

The measure of a master is his success in bringing all men round to his opinion 20 years later.

No man can have society upon his own terms.

Every calamity is a spur and valuable hint.

The effects of opposition are wonderful. There are men who rise refreshed on hearing of a threat, men to whom a crises, which intimidates and paralyzes the majority, comes as graceful and beloved as a bride!

When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits ... he has gained facts, learned his ignorance, is cured of the insanity of conceit, has got moderation and real skill.