Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes on Principle (13 Quotes)

But I cannot recite, even thus rudely, laws of the intellect, without remembering that lofty and sequestered class of men who have been its prophets and oracles, the high-priesthood of the pure reason, the Trismegisti, the expounders of the principles of thought from age to age.

A political victory, a rise in rents, the recovery of your sick, or return of your absent friend, or some other quite external event, raises your spirits, and you think good days are preparing for you. Do not believe it. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles. from Self-Reliance.

Government has come to be a trade, and is managed solely on commercial principles. A man plunges into politics to make his fortune, and only cares that the world shall last his days.

Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it. The manwho knows how will always have a job. The man who also knows why will always be his boss. As to methods there may be a million andthen some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods,ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.

We rail at trade, but the historian of the world will see that it was the principle of liberty that it settled America, and destroyed feudalism, and made peace and keeps peace that it will abolish slavery.

The mob is man voluntarily descending to the nature of the beast. Its fit hour of activity is night. Its actions are insane like its whole constitution. It persecutes a principle it would whip a right it would tar and feather justice, by inflicting fire and outrage upon the houses and persons of those who have these. It resembles the prank of boys, who run with fire-engines to put out the ruddy aurora streaming to the stars.

A man is a method, a progressive arrangement; a selecting principle, gathering his like to him; wherever he goes.

Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.

The philosopher and lover of man have much harm to say of trade but the historian will see that trade was the principle of Liberty that trade planted America and destroyed Feudalism that it makes peace and keeps peace, and it will abolish slavery

Every principle is a war-note. Whoever attempts to carry out the rule of right and love and freedom must take his life in his hand.

Solvency is maintained by means of a national debt, on the principle, 'If you will not lend me the money, how can I pay you.

The value of a principle is the number of things it will explain.

A man is usually more careful of his money than he is of his principles.