Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes

“Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The earth laughs in flowers.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“In art the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Guard well your spare moments.

Picture Quote Text:

“Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“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.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the nature of the thing has changed, but our ability to do has increased.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“To laugh often and love much, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to give one’s self … this is to have succeeded.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Be as beneficent as the sun or the sea, but if your rights as a rational being are trenched on, die on the first inch of your territory.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“All great speakers were bad speakers first.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson