“Good criticism is very rare, and always precious.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Culture (Primary source)
In Culture, Emerson argues that true education involves the harmonious development of all human faculties—intellectual, moral, and aesthetic. It’s about cultivating the whole individual to achieve self-mastery and live a rich, authentic life, rather than merely accumulating facts.
“The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“The law of nature is, do the thing, and you shall have the power: but they who do not the thing have not the power.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary sourceMore quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson →
“A good lawyer, a bad neighbor.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“A good example is the best sermon.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source