Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Faith and love are apt to be spasmodic in the best minds. Men live the brink of mysteries and harmonies into which they never enter, and with their hands on the door-latch they die outside."

"If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads."

"A sect or party is an elegant incognito devised to save a man from the vexation of thinking."

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."

"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them."

"Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect."

"People do not deserve good writing, they are so pleased with bad."

"Always do what you are afraid to do."

"Belief consists in accepting the affirmations of the soul; unbelief, in denying them."

"If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads."

"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars."

"A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer."

"Bad times have a scientific value. These are occasions a good learner would not miss."

"He in whom the love of repose predominates will accept the first creed, the first philosophy, the first political party he meets — most likely his father's. He gets rest, commodity, and reputation; but he shuts the door of truth."

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air."

"Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up"

"The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil. It is not for you to choose what he shall know, what he shall do. It is chosen and foreordained and he only holds the key to his own secret."

"By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote."

"None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone."

"When you were born you were crying and everyone else was smiling. Live your life so at the end, your're the one who is smiling and everyone else is crying."