“In comparing the number of good books with the shortness of life, many might well be read by proxy, if we had good proxies.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Books (Primary source)
In Books, Emerson emphasizes that books are for inspiration, not mere imitation. He urges readers to engage actively with texts, using them to stimulate original thought and self-discovery, rather than passively accepting others’ wisdom.
“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 →
“Well done is twice done.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“Life is our dictionary.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.”
— Jack London Disputed“To speak well of a base man is much the same as speaking ill of a good man.”
— Leonardo da Vinci Primary source