Ralph Waldo Emerson

If the red slayer think he slays, Or if the slain think he is slain, They know not well the subtle ways I keep, and pass, and turn again.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

If the single man plant himself indomitably on his instincts, and there abide, the huge world will come round to him.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

If utterance is denied, the thought lies like a burden on the man. Always the seer is a sayer.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you believe in the soul, do not clutch at sensual sweetness before it is ripe on the slow tree of cause and effect.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends imprisoned by an enchanter in paper and leathern boxes.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

In all my lectures, I have taught one doctrine, namely, the infinitude of the private man.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

In every work of genius, we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

In good writing, words become one with things.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed.

Ralph Waldo Emerson