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 The religion that is afraid of science dishonors God and commits suicide. Every influx of atheism, of skepticism, is thus made useful as a mercury pill assaulting and removing a diseased religion, and making way for truth. Ralph Waldo Emerson atheism suicide religion Society is infested by persons who, seeing that the sentiments please, counterfeit the expression of them. These we call sentimentalists - talkers who mistake the description for the thing, saying for having. Ralph Waldo Emerson description expression mistake Every actual State is corrupt. Good men must not obey the laws too well. What satire on government can equal the severity of censure conveyed in the word politics ....? Ralph Waldo Emerson political law men Washington, where an insignificant individual may trespass on a nation's time. Ralph Waldo Emerson individuality political time If speculation tends thus to a terrific unity, in which all things are absorbed, action tends directly back to diversity. The first is the course or gravitation of mind; the second is the power of nature. Nature is manifold. The unity absorbs, and melts or reduces. Nature opens and creates. These two principles reappear and interpenetrate all things, all thought; the one, the many. Ralph Waldo Emerson unity diversity two Democracy is morose, and runs to anarchy. Ralph Waldo Emerson democracy historical running Most of the great results of history are brought about by discreditable means. Ralph Waldo Emerson results historical mean It is long ere we discover how rich we are. Our history, we are sure, is quite tame: we have nothing to write, nothing to infer. But our wiser years still run back to the despised recollections of childhood. . . . Ralph Waldo Emerson writing running years Every man is eloquent once in his life. Ralph Waldo Emerson public-speaking men life What you persist in doing gets easier. The task hasn't changed, but your ability to do it has increased. Ralph Waldo Emerson eating-disorder anorexia tasks The influence of fine scenery, the presence of mountains, appeases our irritations and elevates our friendships. Ralph Waldo Emerson irritation hiking journey There is no prosperity, trade, art, city, or great material wealth of any kind, but if you trace it home, you will find it rooted in a thought of some individual man. Ralph Waldo Emerson home men art The House Ralph Waldo Emerson music stars life A home kept to the end of display is impossible to all but a few women, and their success is dearly bought. Ralph Waldo Emerson impossible home tea The masses have no habit of self-reliance or original action. Ralph Waldo Emerson habit self action It the proof of high culture to say the greatest matters in the simplest way. Ralph Waldo Emerson simplicity matter culture The whole course of things goes to teach us faith. We need only obey. There is guidance for each of us, and by lowly listening we shall hear the right word. . . . Place yourself in the middle of the stream of power and wisdom which flows into you as life, place yourself in the full center of that flood, then you are without effort impelled to truth, to right, and a perfect contentment. Ralph Waldo Emerson effort perfect life Wherever work is done, victory is attained. Ralph Waldo Emerson victory done work Wouldst thou shut up the avenues of ill, Pay every debt as if God wrote the bill. Ralph Waldo Emerson debt money pay If you are wise, you will dread a prosperity which only loads you with more. Ralph Waldo Emerson prosperity simple wise
