Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803 – April 27, 1882) was an American essayist, philosopher, poet, and leader of the Transcendentalist movement in the early 19th century. His teachings directly influenced the growing New Thought movement of the mid 1800s.


The one thing in the world, of value, is the active soul.

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.

Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us what we can be.

To different minds, the same world is a hell, and a heaven.

Imagination is not a talent of some men, but is the health of every man.

In every man there is something wherein I may learn of him, and in that I am his pupil.

Shallow men believe in luck, believe in circumstances. Strong men believe in cause and effect.

If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap, than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.

Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones.

They can conquer who believe they can. He has not learned the first lesson in life who does not every day surmount a fear.

Speak the affirmative; emphasize your choice by utterly ignoring all that you reject.

Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons.

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship.

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not been discovered.

The years teach much which the days never knew.

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it