Ralph Waldo Emerson

When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers.

Conversation is an art in which a man has all mankind for competitors.

Trust your instinct to the end, though you can render no reason.

Do what you know and perception is converted into character.

Self-trust is the essence of heroism

People wish to be settled. It is only as far as they are unsettled that there is any hope for them.

There is no thought in any mind, but it quickly tends to convert itself into a power.

The key to every man is his thought. Sturdy and defying though he look, he has a helm which he obeys, which is the idea after which all his facts are classified. He can only be reformed by showing him a new idea which commands his own.

Often a certain abdication of prudence and foresight is an element of success.

He is great who confers the most benefits.