Ralph Waldo Emerson

Transcendentalism

Modern influential 113 sayings

Sayings by Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have a great deal of respect for the power of words.

1838 — Journal entry
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Life is a journey, not a destination.

c. 1850s — Often attributed, exact source difficult to pinpoint (possibly a compilation of ideas)
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I am a creature of habit, but I am also a creature of change.

1849 — Journal entry
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

1841 — From 'Self-Reliance'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.

1876 — From 'Letters and Social Aims'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.

1841 — From 'Self-Reliance'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

1876 — From 'Letters and Social Aims'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.

1860 — From 'The Conduct of Life'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

1876 — From 'Letters and Social Aims'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.

1860 — From 'The Conduct of Life'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Every artist was first an amateur.

1876 — From 'Letters and Social Aims'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

1876 — From 'Letters and Social Aims'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.

1841 — From 'Essays: First Series'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.

1860 — From 'The Conduct of Life'
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The sun shines today also.

1841 — From 'Self-Reliance'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist.

1841 — Self-Reliance
Controversial Unverifiable

Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.

1841 — Self-Reliance
Controversial Unverifiable

Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.

1841 — Self-Reliance
Controversial Unverifiable

Good men must not obey the laws too well.

1844 — Politics
Controversial Unverifiable

The mass of men serve the State, not as men, but as machines, with their bodies.

1844 — Politics
Controversial Unverifiable