13 Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes on Integrity

Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes on integrity

31. When a whole nation is roaring Patriotism at the top of its voice, I am fain to explore the cleanness of its hands and purity of its heart.

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.

107. Your genuine action will explain itself, and will explain your other genuine actions. Your conformity explains nothing. Act singly, and what you have already done singly will justify you now. Greatness appeals to the future. If I can be firm enough to-day to do right, and scorn eyes, I must have done so much right before as to defend me now. Be it how it will, do right now. Always scorn appearances, and you always may. The force of character is cumulative.

108. Character teaches above our wills. Men imagine that they communicate their virtue or vice only by overt actions, and do not see that virtue or vice emit a breath every moment. There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour. For of one will, the actions will be harmonious, however unlike they seem. These varieties are lost sight of at a little distance, at a little height of thought. One tendency unites them all. The voyage of the best ship is a zigzag line of a hundred tacks. See the line from a sufficient distance, and it straightens itself to the average tendency.

130. Every violation of truth is not only a sort of suicide in the liar, but is a stab at the health of human society.

201. The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons.

218. United States! the ages plead, - Present and Past in under-song, - Go put your creed into your deed, Nor speak with double tongue.

230. Obey the voice at eve obeyed at prime.

231. Though love repine, and reason chafe, There came a voice without reply, - ''Tis man's perdition to be safe, When for the truth he ought to die.'

263. Don't say things. What you are stands over you the while, and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.

278. A great man quotes bravely, and will not draw on his invention when his memory serves him with a word just as good.

294. Let not a man guard his dignity, but let his dignity guard him.

305. Whoever is open, loyal, true; of humane and affable demeanour; honourable himself, and in his judgement of others; faithful to his word as to law, and faithful alike to God and man....such a man is a true gentleman.