Ralph Waldo Emerson
American transcendentalist essayist and poet known for his inspirational quotes about self-reliance, nature, and individuality.
collection of quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Here are some of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s most renowned and thought-provoking quotes, showcasing his profound philosophical beliefs, transcendentalist concepts, and reflections on self-reliance, nature, and personal development:
On Self-Reliance and Individualism:
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“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
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“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
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“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
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“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
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“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
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“Self-trust is the first secret of success.”
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“Insist on yourself; never imitate.”
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“It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.”
On Nature and the Universe:
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“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.”
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“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”
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“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
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“The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.”
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“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
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“In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows.”
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“The earth laughs in flowers.”
On Success and Achievement:
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“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
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“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”
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“The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.”
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“Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain.”
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“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
On Wisdom and Understanding:
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“Knowledge is knowing that we cannot know.”
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“Life is a journey, not a destination.”
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“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”
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“The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.”
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“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”
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“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”
On Life and Living:
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“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.”
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“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
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“Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.”
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“The only thing that can grow is the thing you give energy to.”
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“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.”
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“Life is short, but there is always time for courtesy.”
On Power and Potential:
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“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”
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“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
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“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.”
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“The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.”
On Integrity and Authenticity:
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“To be great is to be misunderstood.”
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“Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think.”
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“Every artist was first an amateur.”
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“An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.”