Quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have heard with admiring submission the experience of the lady who declared that the sense of being well-dressed gives a feeling of inward tranquility which religion is powerless to bestow.

Whatever limits us we call Fate.

Fear always springs from ignorance.

All infractions of love and equity in our social relations are ... punished by fear.

When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world I thank God I am alive.

For everything you have missed you have gained something else.

Want is a growing giant whom the coat of Have was never large enough to cover.

His heart was as great as the world but there was no room in it to hold the memory of a wrong.

Life is not so short but that there is always time enough for courtesy.

A friend is one before whom I may think aloud.

We take care of our health we lay up money we make our roof tight and our clothing sufficient but who provides wisely that he shall not be wanting in the best property of all-friends.

No man can have society upon his own terms. If he seeks it he must serve it too.

The condition which high friendship demands is the ability to do without it.

The secret of success in society is a certain heartiness and sympathy.

Friendship requires more time than poor busy men can usually command.

Go oft to the house of thy friend for weeds choke the unused path.

A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud.

Every man passes his life in the search after friendship.

How casually and unobservedly we make all our most valued acquaintances.

To believe your own thought to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men - that is genius.