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Men do what is called a good action, as some piece of courage or charity, much as they would pay a fine in expiation of daily non-appearance on parade. Their works are done as an apology or extenuation of their living in the world. I do not wish to expiate, but to live. My life is not an apology, but a life.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Ralph Waldo Emerson
Age: 78 †
Born: 1803
Born: May 25
Died: 1882
Died: April 27
Biographer
Diarist
Essayist
Philosopher
Poet
Writer
Boston
Massachusetts
R. W. Emerson
Waldo Emerson
Live
Pay
Parades
Done
Courage
Reliance
Much
Pieces
Apology
Good
Fine
Appearance
Would
Called
Charity
Men
Wish
Daily
Expiate
Life
Living
Piece
Expiation
World
Action
Works
Parade

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Many times the reading of a book has made the future of a man.
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