Motivational Transcendentalist Quotes

Transcendentalism - Any philosophy based upon the doctrine that the principles of reality are to be discovered by the study of the process of thought, or a philosophy emphasizing the intuitive and spiritual above the empirical.

Well, that's the dictionary definition. But I really remember the American Transcendentalists from my high school English classes more as what I would call "cheerleaders of the human spirit." They were really upbeat, positive thinkers, the kind of guys you'd like to have around whenever you're taking a risk to follow your dreams or starting off a new venture.

"Hitch your wagon to a star"... You cannot help but be moved and inspired by these men's faith in humanity and in each individual. More than just cheerleaders, these writers are leaders, whose words can help us achieve the greatness we are all capable of.

"Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson  

"When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson  

"If a man constantly aspires is he not elevated?"

-Henry David Thoreau  

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson  

"All great masters are chiefly distinguished by the power of adding a second, a third, and perhaps a fourth step in a continuous line. Many a man had taken the first step. With every additional step you enhance immensely the value of your first."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson  

"There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson  

"Self-trust is the first secret to success. "

-Ralph Waldo Emerson  

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. "

-Henry David Thoreau  

"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  

"I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he had imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

-Henry David Thoreau  

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