Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes on Life
Ralph Waldo Emerson was a 19th-century American essayist, lecturer, and poet, the leading figure of the Transcendentalist movement in New England. This page collects quotes attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson on the topic of life, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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“Hitch your wagon to a star.”
Civilization -
Attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
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“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
November 11, 1842 -
“Life is too short to waste The critic bite or cynic bark, Quarrel, or reprimand; 'Twill soon be dark; Up! mind thine own aim, and God speed the mark!”
Poems(1847) | To J. W. , st. 4 -
“Though thou loved her as thyself, As a self of purer clay, Tho' her parting dims the day, Stealing grace from all alive, Heartily know, When half-gods go, The gods arrive.”
Poems(1847) | Give All to Love , st. 4 -
“Nor knowest thou what argument Thy life to thy neighbor's creed has lent: All are needed by each one, Nothing is fair or good alone.”
Poems(1847) | Each and All , st. 1 -
“The cup of life is not so shallow That we have drained the best That all the wine at once we swallow And lees make all the rest.”
Journals (1822–1863) | 1827 -
“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
Journals (1822–1863) | November 11, 1842