“The motive of science was the extension of man, on all sides, into Nature, till his hands should touch the stars.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Beauty (Primary source)
In Beauty, Emerson explores how beauty in nature and art reflects a deeper spiritual truth and moral order. He argues that true beauty is not just aesthetic pleasure but a manifestation of the divine, elevating the soul and inspiring virtue.
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“The years teach much which the days never know.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
— 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 sourceMore quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson →
“No man ever was glorious who was not laborious.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“My God what would a man do with a woman like that except worship her?”
— Ernest Hemingway Primary source“The imagination of nature is far, far greater than the imagination of man.”
— Richard Feynman Primary source“If a man owns land, the land owns him.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source