To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. —Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pass It On®

print

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Philosopher, Poet, Author, Essayist

COMMENTS

Dale J from Va JUNE 30, 2018
Words to live by!
Lulu Astler JANUARY 16, 2018
if ever there was one thing that people could agree on it would be that this Emerson quote comes to closest to summing up who and what he was ...it brings a tear to my eye, is one of the greatest things I've ever read and to have known someone that had lived that is even more wonderful
Vicki from Texas, USA AUGUST 17, 2017
This is what all people should strive to do. Our world would be a better place for all.
Isaac from Tennessee JULY 28, 2017
My favorite quote of all time- I try to live by it and pass it on to my friends, family, and one day I'll hopefully instill this into my future students :)
Ray from New Zealand JUNE 13, 2017
Beautiful, and so true.

Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses. —Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr
Never mistake activity for achievement. —John R. Wooden
Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available. —Jim Beggs
All our dreams can come true; if we have the courage to pursue them. —Walt Disney
There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It's why you were born. And how you become most truly alive. —Oprah Winfrey
Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly. —Robert F. Kennedy
All you need is love. —Paul McCartney & John Lennon
The more we share the more we have. —Leonard Nimoy
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. —William Hazlitt
Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. —Steve Jobs
In the time we have it is surely our duty to do all the good we can to all the people we can in all the ways we can. —William Barclay
I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy.’ —Sylvia Plath
Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong. —Unknown
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. —Rachel Carson
A few simple tips for life: feet on the ground, head to the skies, heart open-quiet mind. —Rasheed Ogunlaru

See All Quotations

Subscribe to our FREE
inspirational quote emails!
20170116 monday quote Friday quote 20170303 friday quote
20161213 tuesday quote new Monday quote Friday quote
20160906 tuesday quote Wednesday quote Tuesday quote