11 Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes on Freedom

Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes on freedom

36. I wish to write such rhymes as shall not suggest a restraint, but contrariwise the wildest freedom.

46. The word liberty in the mouth of Mr. Webster sounds like the word love in the mouth of a courtesan.

79. Why should we make account of time, or of magnitude, or of figure? The soul knows how to play with them as a young child plays with graybeards and in churches.

81. There is one mind common to all individual men. Every man is an inlet to the same and to all of the same. He that is once admitted to the right of reason is made a freeman of the whole estate. What Plato has thought, he may think; what a saint has felt, he may feel; what at any time has befallen any man, he can understand. Who hath access to this universal mind is a party to all that is or can be done, for this is the only and sovereign agent.

92. Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. Society is a joint-stock company, in which the members agree, for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs.

93. Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world.

139. The less government we have, the better - the fewer laws, and the less confided power.

152. Hence, the less government we have, the better, - the fewer laws, and the less confided power. The antidote to this abuse of formal Government, is, the influence of private character, the growth of the Individual.

216. To-day unbind the captive, So only are ye unbound; Lift up a people from the dust, Trump of their rescue, sound!

232. For what avail the plough or sail, Or land or life, if freedom fail?

247. A man builds a fine house; and now he has a master, and a task for life: he is to furnish, watch, show it, and keep it in repair, the rest of his days.