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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A remarkably and beautiful quote that is so inspiring to live by

Christopher Makau from Nairobi, Kenya
December 12, 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.

Mark Tiller from UK
August 26, 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

craig lock from Gisborne, NZ
June 17, 2024

Emerson's voice will always be a bright light illuminating my darkest abysses ♥️

Nikolaos D. Skordilis from Athens, Greece
February 8, 2022

Words to live by!

Dale J from Va
June 30, 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

Lulu Astler
January 16, 2018

This is what all people should strive to do. Our world would be a better place for all.

Vicki from Texas, USA
August 17, 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 :)

Isaac from Tennessee
July 28, 2017

Beautiful, and so true.

Ray from New Zealand
June 13, 2017

This is a good description of Jackie's legacy.

Suzy from De Pere
January 12, 2017

This is a beautiful Quotation

Gemma from Hook Area Co Wexford
October 11, 2016

So remarkable

Abel from Liberia
May 25, 2016

Encouraging quotes

Purity from Nairobi
November 9, 2015

Here are some other inspiring quotes you might like.
The nature of humanity, its essence, is to feel another’s pain as one’s own, and to act to take that pain away. There is a nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness. #<Author:0x00007fa06668f3e0>
EMPATHY
The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness. #<Author:0x00007fa06668e620>
COMPASSION
Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. #<Author:0x00007fa06668dea0>
SMILE
If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. #<Author:0x00007fa06668d860>
FITNESS
Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us. #<Author:0x00007fa06668d360>
HOPE
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. #<Author:0x00007fa06668cd20>
PULL TOGETHER
If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace. #<Author:0x00007fa06668c0a0>
UNITY
We all came in on different ships, but we're all in the same boat now. #<Author:0x00007fa06668ba60>
INCLUSION
Mistakes are the portals of discovery. #<Author:0x00007fa06668b2e0>
DISCOVERY
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. #<Author:0x00007fa06668ade0>
CHANGE
What good is an idea if it remains an idea? Try. Experiment. Iterate. Fail. Try again. Change the world. #<Author:0x00007fa06668a8e0>
INNOVATION
We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing. #<Author:0x00007fa066689da0>
BELIEVE
A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose. #<Author:0x00007fa066689760>
SMILE
Strength lies in differences, not in similarities. #<Author:0x00007fa066689260>
INCLUSION
There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into sun. #<Author:0x00007fa066688860>
CREATIVITY
Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts. #<Author:0x00007fa066687fa0>
SMILE
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