Representative Men: Seven Lectures

“Every hero becomes a bore at last.””

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Other men are lenses through which we read our own minds.””

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Great men exist that there may be greater men.””

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The dull pray; the geniuses are light mockers.””

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“A world in the hand is worth two in the bush.””

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Why should I vapor and play the philosopher, instead of ballasting, the best I can, this dancing balloon?””

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“All men are at last of a size; and true art is only possible, on the conviction that every talent has its apotheosis somewhere. Fair play, and an open field, and freshest laurels to all who have won them! But heaven reserves an equal scope for every creature. Each is uneasy until he has produced his private ray unto the concave sphere, and beheld his talent also in its last nobility and exaltation.””

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Is it a reply to these suggestions, to say, society is a Pestalozzian school; all are teachers and pupils in turn. We are equally served by receiving and by imparting. Men who know the same things, are not long the best company for each other.””

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“It seems as if the Deity dressed each soul which he sends into nature in certain virtues and powers not communicable to other men, and, sending it to perform one more turn through the circle of beings, wrote “Not transferable,” and “Good for this trip only,” on these garments of the soul.””

— Ralph Waldo Emerson