Conservatism makes no poetry, breathes no prayer, has no invention; it is all memory. Reform has no gratitude, no prudence, no husbandry.
Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes
There is always a certain meanness in the argument of conservatism, joined with a certain superiority in its fact. It affirms because it holds. Its fingers clutch the fact, and it will not open its eyes to see a better fact.
Mr. (John Quincy) Adams chose wisely and according to his constitution, when, on leaving the Presidency, he went into Congress. He is no literary old gentleman, but a bruiser, and loves the melee. When they talk about his age and venerableness and nearness to the grave, he knows better, he is like one of those […]
Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.
A man must consider what a rich realm he abdicates when he becomes a conformist.
For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure.
Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.
Common sense is as rare as genius, – is the basis of genius.
Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.
Colleges… have their indispensible office – to teach elements. But they can highly serve us when they aim not to drill, but to create; when they gather from far every ray of various genius to their hospitable halls, and by the concentrated fires, set the hearts of their youth on flame.
