Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American philosopher, poet and essayist,
was born in Boston on 25 May 1803. He is remembered for his philosophy
of self-reliance and individual freedom – ideals that found expression
in his own life and character. In the closing lines of his essay on
“Self-Reliance” he wrote:
“A political victory, a rise of rents, the recovery of your sick,
or the return of your absent friend, or some other favorable event,
raises your spirits, and you think good days are preparing for you. Do
not believe it. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can
bring you peace but the triumph of your principles.”
He also wrote:
“A more secret, sweet, and overpowering beauty appears to man when
his heart and mind open to the sentiment of virtue. Then he is
instructed in what is above him. He learns that his being is without
bound; that to the good, to the perfect, his is born.”
Emerson’s last days were spent quietly at Concord, and he died on 27
Apri1 1882. He was buried in the beautiful Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, near
the grave of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
For more of Emerson’s words of wisdom, visit:
http://www.all-creatures.org/quotes/emerson_ralphwaldo.html
For a large collection of quotations, visit:
http://www.all-creatures.org/quote.html
For two of Emerson’s poems, visit:
http://www.all-creatures.org/poetry/forbearance.html
http://www.all-creatures.org/poetry/fable.html
