The most active lives have so much routine as to preclude progress almost equally with the most inactive. Ralph Waldo Emerson More Quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson More Quotes From Ralph Waldo Emerson Nature magically suits a man to his fortunes, by making them the fruit of his character. Ralph Waldo Emerson nature motivational inspirational Discontent is want of self-reliance; it is infirmity of will. Ralph Waldo Emerson self want character Self-command is the main elegance. Ralph Waldo Emerson elegance self character There never was a strong character that was not made strong by discipline of the will; there never was a strong people that did not rank subordination and discipline among the signal virtues. Subjection to moods is the mark of a deteriorating morality. There is no baser servitude than that of the man whose caprices are his masters, and a nation composed of such men could not long preserve its liberties. Ralph Waldo Emerson strong character men Human character evermore publishes itself. The most fugitive deed and word, the intimated purpose, express character. Ralph Waldo Emerson deeds-and-words purpose character They think him the best dressed man, whose dress is so fit for his use that you cannot notice or remember to describe it. Ralph Waldo Emerson fashion men thinking Frankness invites frankness. Ralph Waldo Emerson trust honesty truth When God lets loose a great thinker on this planet, then all things are at risk. There is not a piece of science but its flank may be turned to-morrow; nor any literary reputation or the so-called eternal names of fame that many not be refused and condemned. Ralph Waldo Emerson pieces risk names By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Ralph Waldo Emerson sleep spring memories What potent blood hath modest May. Ralph Waldo Emerson may spring blood Of course you will insist on modesty in the children, and respect to their teachers, but if the boy stops you in your speech, cries out that you are wrong and sets you right, hug him! Ralph Waldo Emerson humility teacher children Heaven always bears some proportion to earth. The god of the cannibal will be a cannibal, of the crusades a crusader, and of the merchants a merchant. Ralph Waldo Emerson humility bears heaven If I should go out of church whenever I hear a false sentiment, I could never stay there five minutes. Ralph Waldo Emerson minutes church atheist To this military attitude of the soul we give the name of Heroism... It is a self-trust which slights the restraints of prudence, in the plenitude of its energy and power to repair the harms it may suffer. The hero is a mind of such balance that no disturbances can shake his will. Ralph Waldo Emerson military hero attitude There is one topic peremptorily forbidden to all well-bred, to all rational mortals, namely, their distempers. If you have not slept or if you have slept or if you have head ache or sciatica or leprosy or thunder-stroke, I beseech you, by all angels, to hold your peace and not pollute the morning. Ralph Waldo Emerson angel attitude morning Strong men greet war, tempest, hard times. They wish, as Pindar said, to tread the floors of hell, with necessities as hard as iron. Ralph Waldo Emerson adversity strong war Extremes meet, and there is no better example than the naughtiness of humility. Ralph Waldo Emerson pride humility example Science is nothing but the finding of analogy, identity, in the most remote parts. Ralph Waldo Emerson findings analogies identity The possibility of interpretation lies in the identity of the observer with the observed. Each material thing has its celestial side; has its translation, through humanity, into the spiritual and necessary sphere, where it plays a part as indestructible as any other. Ralph Waldo Emerson spiritual play lying One of the most wonderful things in nature is a glance of the eye; it transcends speech; it is the bodily symbol of identity. Ralph Waldo Emerson nature eye identity
