583 quotes
In every man's memory, with the hours when life culminated are usually associated certain books which met his views.
Letters and Social Aims (1876)
This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
A ruddy drop of manly blood
The surging sea outweighs,
The world uncertain comes and goes;
The lover rooted stays.
May-Day and Other Pieces (1867)
The bitterest tragic element in life to be derived from an intellectual source is the belief in a brute Fate or Destiny.
The Natural History of Intellect, and Other Papers (1893)
Yet a man may love a paradox, without losing either his wit or his honesty.
Sooner or later that which is now life shall be poetry, and every fair and manly trait shall add a richer strain to the song.
Letters and Social Aims (1876)
People do not deserve to have good writing, they are so pleased with bad.
Journals (1822)
Self-reliance, the height and perfection of man, is reliance on God.
Next to the originator of a good sentence is the first quoter of it.
Letters and Social Aims (1876)
There is a remedy for every wrong and a satisfaction for every soul.
We do not count a man's years until he has nothing else to count.
Society and Solitude (1870)
Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing.
Art (1841)
The shoemaker makes a good shoe because he makes nothing else.
Letters and Social Aims (1876)
The hearing ear is always found close to the speaking tongue.
English Traits (1856)
We are always getting ready to live, but never living.
Journals (1822)
Too busy with the crowded hour to fear to live or die.
May-Day and Other Pieces (1867)
Never read any book that is not a year old.
Society and Solitude (1870)
Good men must not obey the laws too well.
Slowly, slowly the Avenger comes, but comes surely.
Character is higher than intellect...A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think.
The American Scholar (1837)