Ralph Waldo Emerson

The characteristic of genuine heroism is its persistency. All men have wandering impulses, fits and starts of generosity. But when read more

The characteristic of genuine heroism is its persistency. All men have wandering impulses, fits and starts of generosity. But when you have resolved to be great, abide by yourself, and do not try to reconcile yourself with the world. The heroic cannot be common, nor the common heroic.

Belief consists in accepting the affirmations of the soul; unbelief, in denying them.

Belief consists in accepting the affirmations of the soul; unbelief, in denying them.

We are students of words: we are shut up in schools, and colleges, and recitation-rooms, for ten or fifteen years, read more

We are students of words: we are shut up in schools, and colleges, and recitation-rooms, for ten or fifteen years, and come out at last with a bag of wind, a memory of words, and do not know a thing.

I like to be beholden to the great metropolitan English speech,
the sea which receives tributaries from every region read more

I like to be beholden to the great metropolitan English speech,
the sea which receives tributaries from every region under
heaven. I should as soon think of swimming across the Charles
river when I wish to go to Boston, as of reading all my books in
originals, when I have them rendered for me in my mother tongue.

Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe read more

Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.