What Ralph Waldo Emerson thinks about government
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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4 dated positions, c. 1844, in their own words. Our reading of what Ralph Waldo Emerson has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Our readingThe State's institutions are human expedients, not superior to citizens, and can be bettered
Their wordsIn dealing with the State we ought to remember that its institution are not aboriginal, though they existed before we were born; that they are not superior to the citizen; that every one of them was once the act of a single man; every law and usage was a man's expedient to meet a particular case; that they all are imitable, all alterable; we may make as good, we may make better.
↗Essays, Second Series (1844)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
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Their wordsEvery actual State is corrupt. Good men must not obey the laws too well.
↗Essays, Second Series (1844)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
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Their wordsHence the less government we have the better,—the fewer laws, and the less confided power.
↗Essays, Second Series (1844)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
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Their wordsTo educate the wise man the State exists, and with the appearance of the wise man the State expires. The appearance of character makes the State unnecessary.
↗Essays, Second Series (1844)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book