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
“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

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Your Comments
Christopher Makau from Nairobi, Kenya DECEMBER 12, 2024
A remarkably and beautiful quote that is so inspiring to live by
Mark Tiller from UK AUGUST 26, 2024
When I first read this a good 20 years ago, I thought to myself. If I needed a mission statement for my life, that's it.
craig lock from Gisborne, NZ JUNE 17, 2024
The power of words to uplift, encourage and inspire 'I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.' -Og Mandino
Nikolaos D. Skordilis from Athens, Greece FEBRUARY 8, 2022
Emerson's voice will always be a bright light illuminating my darkest abysses ♥️
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.
Suzy from De Pere JANUARY 12, 2017
This is a good description of Jackie's legacy.
Gemma from Hook Area Co Wexford OCTOBER 11, 2016
This is a beautiful Quotation
Abel from Liberia  MAY 25, 2016
So remarkable
Purity from Nairobi NOVEMBER 9, 2015
Encouraging quotes

Here are some other inspiring quotes you might like.
If you shift your focus from yourself to others, extend your concern to others, and cultivate the thought of caring for the well being of others, then this will have the immediate effect of opening up your life and helping you to reach out. #<Author:0x000055f9dd4abd20>
CARING
Your vision becomes clear when you look inside your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens. #<Author:0x000055f9dd483eb0>
LIVE YOUR DREAMS
It's easy to find reasons for division between people. Finding common ground is harder, but a step towards happiness. #<Author:0x000055f9dd502d28>
COMMON GROUND
You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. #<Author:0x000055f9dd4e3e78>
MOTIVATION
You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. #<Author:0x000055f9dd570878>
INNOVATION
Family and friendships are two of the greatest facilitators of happiness. #<Author:0x000055f9dd542428>
FAMILY
Every great dream begins with a dreamer. #<Author:0x000055f9dd5f1d38>
LIVE YOUR DREAMS
It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. #<Author:0x000055f9dd5bb058>
ACHIEVEMENT
Until we have seen someone's darkness, we don't really know who they are. Until we have forgiven someone's darkness, we don't really know what love is. #<Author:0x000055f9dd6717b8>
FORGIVENESS
Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them become what they are capable of being. #<Author:0x000055f9dd649998>
LEADERSHIP
If a person seems wicked, do not cast him away. Awaken him with your words, elevate him with your deeds, repay his injury with your kindness. Do not cast him away; cast away his wickedness. #<Author:0x000055f9dd6230e0>
COMPASSION
One of the great ironies of life is this: he or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served. #<Author:0x000055f9dd69bdd8>
SERVICE
One must care about a world one will not see. #<Author:0x000055f9dd682568>
CARING
If the world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by ordinary people, people whose love for this life is even greater than their fear. #<Author:0x000055f9dd70aaf8>
COURAGE
The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common. #<Author:0x000055f9dd6e1dd8>
WISDOM
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. #<Author:0x000055f9dd768fb8>
PURPOSE
All Pass It On® Quotes

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