“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nature (Primary source)
This is considered Emerson’s foundational text and the cornerstone of American Transcendentalism. In it, he outlines his philosophy of nature as a source of spiritual insight and a mirror to the human soul. It calls for an original relation to the universe and a rejection of traditional ways of understanding the world.
“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 →
“Fear always springs from ignorance.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“Our spontaneous action is always the best.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“The imagination of nature is far, far greater than the imagination of man.”
— Richard Feynman Primary source“Necessity is the mistress and guide of nature.”
— Leonardo da Vinci Primary source