Quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson Commons is named after Ralph Waldo Emerson, a 19th century essayist and master of the sound bite. Here are some Emerson quotes that you might find inspiring:

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

“It is not the length of life, but the depth.”

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”

“Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known.  Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.”

“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”

“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”