A beautiful form is better than a beautiful face; it gives a higher pleasure than statues or pictures; it is the finest of the fine arts. Ralph Waldo Emerson on beauty
This whole business of Trade gives me to pause and think, as it constitutes false relations between men; inasmuch as I am prone to count myself relieved of any responsibility to behave well and nobly to that person who I pay with money, whereas if I had not that commodity, I should be put on my good behavior in all companies, and man would be a benefactor to man, as being himself his only certificate that he had a right to those aids and services which each asked of the other. Ralph Waldo Emerson on business
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesman and philosophers and divines. Ralph Waldo Emerson on change
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Ralph Waldo Emerson on conformity
Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons. Ralph Waldo Emerson on courage
Every man finds a sanction for his simplest claims and deeds, in decisions of his own mind, which he calls Truth and Holiness. Ralph Waldo Emerson on decision
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Ralph Waldo Emerson on destiny
Fate is nothing but the deeds committed in a prior state of existence. Ralph Waldo Emerson on fate
The only way to have a friend is to be one. Ralph Waldo Emerson on friendship
I hate the giving of the hand unless the whole man accompanies it. Ralph Waldo Emerson on giving
A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer. Ralph Waldo Emerson on growth
A man finds room in the few square inches of his face for the traits of all his ancestors; for the expression of all his history, and his wants. Ralph Waldo Emerson on history
The louder he talked of his honor the faster we counted our spoons. Ralph Waldo Emerson on honor
There are no days in life so memorable as those which vibrated to some stroke of the imagination. Ralph Waldo Emerson on imagination
A good indignation brings out all one's powers. Ralph Waldo Emerson on indignation
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say. Ralph Waldo Emerson on inspiration