Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes

In the vaunted works of Art, The master-stroke is Nature’s part.

It depends on the mood of the man, whether he shall see the sunset or the fine poem. There are always sunsets, and there is always genius; but only a few hours so serene that we can relish nature or criticism. The more or less depends on structure or temperament.

Noblesse oblige; or, superior advantages bind you to larger generosity.

Some will always be above others. Destroy the equality today, and it will appear again tomorrow.

The aristocrat is the democrat ripe and gone to seed.

If I know your sect, I anticipate your argument.

Greek genius… Then we have it once more in their architecture, a beauty as of temperance itself, limited to the straight line and the square, – a builded geometry.

I do not find that the age or country makes the least difference; no, nor the language the actors spoke, nor the religion which they professed, whether Arab in the desert or Frenchman in the Academy. I see that sensible men and conscientious men all over the world were of one religion.

He who has acquired the ability, may wait securely the occasion of making it felt and appreciated, and know that it will not loiter.

Culture is one thing and varnish is another.