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Ralph Waldo Emerson

What Ralph Waldo Emerson thinks about agency

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American essayist and lecturer (1803 to 1882); began his career as a Unitarian minister in Boston; author of essays including Self-Reliance, History, The Over-Soul and Fate.

Ralph Waldo Emerson did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

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Only Ralph Waldo Emerson on agency. See everyone on agency

8 dated positions, 1837 to c. 1841–1847, in their own words. Our reading of what Ralph Waldo Emerson has said — not written or endorsed by them.

  1. Our readingSociety works against the independence of each of its members

    Their wordsSociety everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. Society is a joint-stock company, in which the members agree, for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater.

    ↗Essays, First Series (1841)gutenberg.org All 22 from this book

  3. Our readingNothing is ultimately sacred except the integrity of your own mind

    Their wordsWhoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.

    ↗Essays, First Series (1841)gutenberg.org All 22 from this book

  5. Our readingAn institution is the lengthened shadow of one man

    Their wordsAn institution is the lengthened shadow of one man; as, Monachism, of the Hermit Antony; the Reformation, of Luther; Quakerism, of Fox; Methodism, of Wesley; Abolition, of Clarkson.

    ↗Essays, First Series (1841)gutenberg.org All 22 from this book

  7. Our readingCultivate your own gift and never imitate another's talent

    Their wordsInsist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another you have only an extemporaneous half possession.

    ↗Essays, First Series (1841)gutenberg.org All 22 from this book

  9. Our readingPeace can come only from yourself and the triumph of principles

    Their wordsNothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.

    ↗Essays, First Series (1841)gutenberg.org All 22 from this book

  11. Our readingEach person has a vocation, and their talent is the call to it

    Their wordsEach man has his own vocation. The talent is the call. There is one direction in which all space is open to him.

    ↗Essays, First Series (1841)gutenberg.org All 22 from this book

  13. Our readingSelf-trust is the essence of heroism

    Their wordsSelf-trust is the essence of heroism. It is the state of the soul at war, and its ultimate objects are the last defiance of falsehood and wrong, and the power to bear all that can be inflicted by evil agents.

    ↗Essays, First Series (1841)gutenberg.org All 22 from this book

  15. Our readingAction is subordinate for a scholar but essential; without it thought cannot ripen into truth

    Their wordsAction is with the scholar subordinate, but it is essential. Without it, he is not yet man. Without it, thought can never ripen into truth.

    ↗Miscellanies: Nature, Addresses, and Lectures (Phillips, Sampson, 1856)gutenberg.org All 8 from this book