Ralph Waldo Emerson

As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods.

We love flattery, even though we are not deceived by it, because it shows that we are of importance enough to be courted.

Life will show you masks that are worth all your carnivals

Beware of what you want-for you will get it.

Every man who would do anything well, must come to it from a higher ground.

Nature hates monopolies and exceptions.

Nature tells every secret once.

A good symbol is the best argument, and is a missionary to persuade thousands.

There is no good theory of disease which does not at once suggest a cure.

You cannot see the mountain near.

There is a third silent party to all our bargains. The nature and soul of things takes on itself the guaranty of the fulfillment of every contract, so that honest service cannot come to loss. If you serve an ungrateful master, serve him the more. Put God in your debt. Every stroke shall be repaid. The longer the payment is withholden, the better for you; for compound interest on compound interest is the rate and usage of this exchequer.

Insist on your life, never imitate... do that which is assigned to you, and you cannot hope too much or dare too much.

The antidote to this abuse of formal Government, is, the influence of private character, the growth of the Individual.

When a happy person comes into the room, it is as if another candle has been lit.

Every mind has a new compass, a new direction of its own, differencing its genius and aim from every other mind.--We call this specialty the bias of each individual. And none of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.

Flowers are the earth laughing.

We don't grow old. When we cease to grow, we become old.

The power of a man increases steadily by continuance in one direction. He becomes acquainted with the resistances and with his own tools; increases his skill and strength and learns the favorable moments and favorable accidents.

The eye is the first circle; the horizon which it forms is the second; and throughout nature this primary figure is repeated without end.

Why should the way I feel depend on the thoughts in someone else's head?

No man can help another without helping himself.