Quote

Prudence is the virtue of the senses. It is the science of appearances. It is the outmost action of the inward life.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Action
Life
Appearances
Prudence
Inward
Appearance
Senses
Virtue
Science

More quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Image
People who wash much have a high mind about it, and talk down to those who wash little.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
The peril of every fine faculty is the delight of playing with it for pride. Talent is commonly developed at the expense of character, and the greater it grows, the more is the mischief. Talent is mistaken for genius, a dogma or system for truth, ambition for greatness, ingenuity for poetry, sensuality for art.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
But a compassion for that which is not and cannot be useful and lovely, is degrading and futile.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
We ask for long life, but 'tis deep life, or noble moments that signify. Let the measure of time be spiritual, not mechanical.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
True friends are two people who are comfortable sharing silence together.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
The art of sculpture is long ago perished to any real effect... it is the game of a rude and youthful people, and not the manly labour of a wise and spiritual nation.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
A good deal of our politics is physiological.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
Intemperance is the only vulgarity.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
What we seek we shall find what we flee from flees from us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
Motion or change, and identity or rest, are the first and second secrets of nature: Motion and Rest. The whole code of her laws may be written on the thumbnail, or the signet of a ring.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
Let not a man guard his dignity, but let his dignity guard him.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
The noblest ministry of nature is to stand as the apparition of God.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
The perception of the comic is a tie of sympathy with other men.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
You cannot give anything to a magnanimous person. After you have served him, he at once puts you in debt by his magnanimity.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
In the first place, all books that get fairly into the vital air of the world were written by the successful class, by the affirming and advancing class, who utter what tens of thousands feel though they cannot say.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
Nothing is quite beautiful alone nothing but is beautiful in the whole. A single object is only so far beautiful as it suggests this universal grace.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
The powers of the Soul are commensurate with its needs.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
The shoemaker makes a good shoe because he makes nothing else.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little coarse and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice? Up again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image
Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.
Ralph Waldo Emerson