Ralph Waldo Emerson Return Quotations

...in the wilderness, I find something more dear and connate than in the streets or villages...in the woods we return to reason and faith.

In vain produced, all rays return; Evil will bless, and ice will burn.

The eloquence of one stimulates all the rest, some up to the speaking-point, and all others to a degree that makes them good receivers and conductors, and they avenge themselves for their enforced silence by increased loquacity on their return.

To me, however, the question of the times resolved itself into a practical question of the conduct of life. How shall I live? We are incompetent to solve the times. Our geometry cannot span the huge orbits of the prevailing ideas, behold their return, and reconcile their opposition. We can only obey our own polarity.

Of course, he who has put forth his total strength in fit actions, has the richest return of wisdom.