Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is plain that there is no separate essence called courage, no cup or cell in the brain, no vessel in the heart containing drops or atoms that make or give this virtue; but it is the right or healthy state of every man, when he is free to do that which is constitutional to him to do.

Few people have any next, they live from hand to mouth without a plan, and are always at the end of their line.

Men cease to interest us when we find their limitations

Tis the good reader that makes the good book; a good head cannot read amiss: in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakeably meant for his ear.

The world belongs to the energetic.

Hast thou named all the birds without a gun?

Enthusiasm is the engine of success.

I thought as I rode in the cold pleasant light of Sunday morning how silent & passive nature offers, every morn, her wealth to man; she is immensely rich, he is welcome to her entire goods, which he speaks no word, only leaves over doors ajar, hall, store room, & cellar. He may do as he will: if he takes her hint & uses her goods, she speaks no word; if he blunders & starves, she says nothing.

We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents.

As we are, so we do; and as we do, so is it done to us; we are the builders of our fortunes.

Four snakes gliding up and down a hollow for no purpose that I could see - not to eat, not for love, but only gliding.

Good breeding, a union of kindness and independence.

If the single man plant himself indomitably on his instincts, and there abide, the huge world will come round to him.

It is about your outlook towards life. You can either regret or rejoice.

Universities are of course hostile to geniuses, which, seeing and using ways of their own, discredit the routine: as churches and monasteries persecute youthful saints.

Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think.

In analysing history do not be too profound, for often the causes are quite superficial.

Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little coarse and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice? Up again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble.

Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst...They are for nothing but to inspire.

It is one light which beams out of a thousand stars. It is one soul which animates all men.

He then learns that in going down into the secrets of his own mind, he has descended into the secrets of all minds.