There are men too superior to be seen except by a few, as there are notes too high for the scale of most ears.
Interpretation
Only a select few can recognize the true greatness in others, just as only certain notes can be perceived by trained ears.
Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote suggests that true excellence and superiority often go unnoticed by the majority of people, similar to how only a few people can hear the highest musical notes. This highlights the idea that greatness can exist beyond the understanding or awareness of the general population, and it requires a discerning eye or ear to recognize such exceptional qualities in individuals.
In practice
During a speech on leadership, you might say, 'As Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, there are men too superior to be seen except by a few.'
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?
Be ruthless about protecting writing days....althoug h writing has been my actual job for several years now, I still seem to have to fight for time in which to do it.
What is missing from the policy analyst's tool kit -- and from the set of accepted, well-developed theories of human organization -- is an adequately specified theory of collective action whereby a group of principals can organize themselves voluntarily to retain the residuals of their own efforts.
You have not forgotten to remember; You have remembered to forget. But people can forget to forget. That is just as important as remembering to remember - and generally more practical.
The years after 50 can be a time of great productivity, meaningful work, pleasure, creativity, and innovation. It's a huge opportunity.
Dread remorse when you are tempted to err, Miss Eyre; remorse is the poison of life.
Strength is Happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness. When you wage a struggle, you might win or you might lose. But regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being.
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