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 Whenever a true theory appears, it will be its own evidence. Its test is, that it will explain all phenomena. Ralph Waldo Emerson tests truth philosophy The reason why any one refuses his assent to your opinion, or his aid to your benevolent design, is in you: he refuses to accept you as a bringer of truth, because, though you think you have it, he feels that you have it not. You have not given him the authentic sign. Ralph Waldo Emerson design truth thinking I cannot often enough say, that a man is only a relative and representative nature. Each is a hint of the truth, but far enough from being that truth, which yet he quite newly and inevitably suggests to us. If I seek it in him, I shall not find it. Ralph Waldo Emerson hints truth men Every man finds a sanction for his simplest claims and deeds, in decisions of his own mind, which he calls Truth and Holiness. Ralph Waldo Emerson decision truth men Truth has not single victories; all things are its organs,--not only dust and stones, but errors and lies. Ralph Waldo Emerson errors truth lying But speak the truth, and all nature and all spirits help you with unexpected furtherance. Speak the truth, and all things alive orbrute are vouchers, and the very roots of the grass underground there do seem to stir and move to bear you witness. Ralph Waldo Emerson truth roots moving We know truth when we see it, from opinion, as we know when we are awake that we are awake. Ralph Waldo Emerson awake opinion truth The solar system has no anxiety about its reputation, and the credit of truth and honesty is as safe; nor have I any fear that a skeptical bias can be given by leaning hard on the sides of fate, of practical power, or of trade, which the doctrine of Faith cannot down-weigh. Ralph Waldo Emerson honesty truth faith Aristotle and Plato are reckoned the respective heads of two schools. A wise man will see that Aristotle platonizes. Ralph Waldo Emerson philosophical plato wise The new statement will comprise the skepticisms, as well as the faiths of society, and out of unbeliefs a creed shall be formed. For, skepticisms are not gratuitous or lawless, but are limitations of the affirmative statement, and the new philosophy must take them in, and make affirmations outside of them, just as much as must include the oldest beliefs. Ralph Waldo Emerson philosophical belief philosophy Things bring their own philosophy with them, that is, prudence. Ralph Waldo Emerson prudence philosophical philosophy The connection between our knowledge and the abyss of being is still real, and the explication must be not less magnificent. Ralph Waldo Emerson philosophical real knowledge Plato is philosophy, and philosophy, Plato,--at once the glory and the shame of mankind, since neither Saxon nor Roman have availed to add any idea to his categories. Ralph Waldo Emerson philosophical plato philosophy When at last in a race a new principle appears, an idea--that conserves it; ideas only save races. Ralph Waldo Emerson principles race ideas We are the prisoners of ideas. They catch us up for moments into their heaven, and so fully engage us, that we take no thought forthe morrow, gaze like children, without an effort to make them our own. Ralph Waldo Emerson effort children ideas Let ideas establish their legitimate sway again in society, let life be fair and poetic, and the scholars will gladly be lovers, citizens, and philanthropists. Ralph Waldo Emerson citizens lovers ideas General ideas are essences. They are our gods: they round and ennoble the most partial and sordid way of living. Ralph Waldo Emerson essence way ideas The delicious faces of children, the beauty of school-girls, "the sweet seriousness of sixteen," the lofty air of well-born, well-bred boys, the passionate histories in the looks and manners of youth and early manhood, and the varied power in all that well-known company that escort us through life,--we know how these forms thrill, paralyze, provoke, inspire, and enlarge us. Ralph Waldo Emerson girl sweet life Life loiters at the book's first page,-- Ralph Waldo Emerson reading life book I wish the days to be as centuries, loaded, fragrant. Now we reckon them as bank-days, by some debt which is to be paid us, or which we are to pay, or some pleasure we are to taste. Ralph Waldo Emerson experience wish life
