“Hitch your wagon to a star.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Hitch your wagon to a star means to aspire to lofty, seemingly impossible ideals and to connect with a guiding, divine vision. It urges individuals to set ambitious goals, drawing inspiration from universal truths to pull them towards extraordinary achievements.
Civilization (Primary source)
In his essay, Civilization, Emerson explores the progress of human society, arguing that true civilization is measured not by material advancements, but by the moral and intellectual development of its individuals. He emphasizes the importance of ideas and character over external comforts.
“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“It was for beauty that the world was made.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“The true test of civilization is, not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops—no, but the kind of man the country turns out.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary sourceMore quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson →
“You may be too cunning for one, but not for all.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“To be great is to be misunderstood.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“There is no little enemy.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“Approve not of him that commends all you say.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source