It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.
Tags: transcendentalism, social-commentary, self-reliance, philosophy, nonfiction, lecture, inspirational, essay

Other Quotes by "Ralph Waldo Emerson"

It has come to be practically a sort of rule in literature that a man, having once shown himself capable of original writing, is entitled thenceforth to steal from the writings of others at discretion.
Tags: literature
How casually and unobservedly we make all our most valued acquaintances.
Tags: friendship
Want is a growing giant whom the coat of Have was never large enough to cover.
Tags: forgiveness
A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.
Tags: may, well, friend, nature, friendship
When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God I am alive.
Tags: nature, forgiveness
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