Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson

1803-1882 • American

Transcendentalism

American essayist, lecturer, and poet who led the Transcendentalist movement. Champion of individualism and the divine in nature.

Key Works

  • Self-Reliance
  • Nature
  • Essays
110

quotes in library

Quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson

110 quotes
I am not alone and unacknowledged. They nod to me, and I to them.
connectionNature
The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other.
natureNature
Who has retained the spirit of infancy even into the era of manhood. His intercourse with heaven and earth, becomes part of his daily food.
wonderNature
In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows.
joyNature
Nature says: he is my creature, and maugre all his impertinent griefs, he shall be glad with me.
belongingNature
Cities give not the human senses room enough.
spaceNature
We go out daily and nightly to feed the eyes on the horizon.
horizonNature
The eye is the best of artists.
visionNature
By the mutual action of its structure and of the laws of light, perspective is produced, which integrates every mass of objects, of what character soever, into a well-colored and shaded globe.
perceptionNature
There is a property in the horizon which no man has but he whose eye can integrate all the parts.
visionNature
This is the best part of these men's farms, yet to this their warranty deeds give no title.
essenceNature
To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature.
seeingNature
Most persons do not see the sun. At least they have a very superficial seeing.
seeingNature
The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child.
wonderNature
What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.
perceptionFortune of the Republic
Hitch your wagon to a star.
aspirationAmerican Civilization
The man who can have all and yet be content with that which is his own, is alone happy.
contentmentConduct of Life
The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.
workNew England Reformers
For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.
happinessLetters and Social Aims
PreviousPage 5 of 6Next

Explore More Teachers

Discover wisdom from 500+ spiritual teachers across all traditions.

Browse All Teachers