AMERICAN SAGE: RALPH WALDO EMERSON

 


One of the two great American sages who literally changed the trajectory of  my  life is,  Ralph Waldo Emerson (  1803-1882).

He is an essayist, lecturer, and poet who spearheaded the Transcendentalist movement in  the mid-19th century. Being a champion of individualism,  Emerson inspired countless  people through his writings and  public lectures.

The other luminary is  Henry David Thoreau when he met Emerson, he was asked  'Do you keep a journal ?   In fact,  that question went on to be a lifelong inspiration for Thoreau who churned out masterly works like 'Walden' etc.

My favourite quotes of Emerson:

- Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.

 - Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

 - What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.

 - What is a weed ? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered.

 - Though we travel the world over  to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.

 - Nature and books belong to the eyes that see them.

 I am terribly inspired by reading some inspiring works of Emerson. The depth of his thought stirs you into contemplation.   His literature is freely available on internet at 
http://www.rwe.org

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