The book, the college, the school of art, the institution of any kind, stop with some past utterance of genius. . . . They look backward and not forward. But genius looks forward: the eyes of man are set in his forehead, not in his hindhead: man hopes: genius creates. Whatever talents may be, if the man create not, the pure efflux of the Deity is not his; - cinders and smoke there may be, but not yet flame.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of forward-thinking and creativity rather than merely relying on past knowledge and institutions.
Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote reflects the idea that true genius is not confined to the teachings and precedents of the past, but instead embraces innovation and future possibilities. It critiques traditional educational institutions for prioritizing historical achievements over the potential for new creation, positing that real talent emerges from the ability to envision and manifest original ideas. Rather than being trapped in the shadows of former greats, true creators look ahead, enabling progress and bringing forth something genuinely transformative.
In practice
In a motivational speech about creativity in the workplace.
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?
We cannot have a world where everyone is a victim. "I'm this way because my father made me this way. I'm this way because my husband made me this way." Yes, we are indeed formed by traumas that happen to us. But you must take charge, you must take over, you are responsible.
Once you have accepted yourself, it's so much easier to accept other people and their points of view.
Old people love to give good advice; it compensates them for their inability to set a bad example.
I think this..."perfectionist gene" that too many young women have holds them back, and instead they should be really aiming for "good enough." You don't have to be perfect. Most men never think like that. They're just trying to figure out what's the opening and how they can seize it. They're not thinking about, Oh my gosh, I'm not perfect, my hair's not perfect today, I wore the wrong shoes. No.
I think the two things most opposed to good counsel are haste and passion; haste usaully goes hand in hand with folly, passion with coarseness and narrowness of mind.
The mark of the creative mind is that it defies a part of what it has learned.
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