“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Self-Reliance (Primary source)
Perhaps Emerson’s most famous essay, Self-Reliance passionately urges individuals to trust their own instincts and intuitions rather than conforming to societal pressures or external authorities. It champions nonconformity, self-trust, and the power of the individual. Its famous opening line, Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string, encapsulates its core message.
“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept the place the divine providence has found for you, the society of your contemporaries, the connection of events.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“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 source“In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary sourceMore quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson →
“Observe all men; thyself most.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“This is a good place,” he said.
“There’s a lot of liquor,” I agreed.
“Lost time is never found again.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“The essence of friendship is entireness, a total magnanimity and trust.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary sourceSelf-reliance Self-confidence Trust