The American Scholar (Primary source)
Delivered as a commencement address at Harvard, this speech was famously dubbed America’s Intellectual Declaration of Independence by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., an American polymath. Emerson urged American intellectuals to break free from European traditions and cultivate a uniquely American voice and scholarship, emphasizing the role of the scholar as Man Thinking.
More about “The American Scholar” →
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
— 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 →
“He that can have patience can have what he will.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“Peace of mind is the most important prerequisite for creative work.”
— Richard Feynman Secondary source“The eye of a master, will do more work than his hand.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“We actually need some tough incentives in civilization to make it work.”
— Charlie Munger Primary sourceSelf-confidence Action Independence Freedom