Ralph Waldo Emerson - Philosophy and Success
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
American writer (pictured right) and philosopher.
Leader of transcendentalism which believed in
- nature.
- the spirit of the individual.
Friend and teacher of Henry David
Thoreau (pictured right).
What advice did he give about success?
1. Health
Your health should be a top priority.
“The first wealth is health”, Emerson said.
2. Enthusiasm
- seize every opportunity with energy and enthusiasm.
- forget your worries and mistakes
- start every day anew in high spirits.
3. Principle
- live according to your values (particularly love).
“We put our love where we have put our labour”, he said.
4. Empowerment from kindness
Treat people well and trust them.
Then they will:
- take responsibility for their performance
- show themselves to be great.
5. Courage
You need courage to:
- prove your doubters wrong.
Choose the difficult option.
“Always do what you are afraid to do”, Emerson advised.
6. Responsibility and self-reliance
Only you are responsible for your life.
“No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself”, he said.
7. Learn
- challenge existing ideas (“be a nonconformist”, he said).
- try new things and be original (“imitation is
suicide”).
Good education:
“Character is higher than intellect”, he said.
8. Faith and influence
- have faith in something worthwhile
- leave the world a better place.
“Make yourself necessary to somebody. Don’t make life hard to anybody”, Emerson said.
9. Ambition
- do something great with your life
“Hitch your wagon to a star”, he said.
10. Have fun
11. Make friends
Be nice to them, and they will be nice to you.
12. Be philosophic
Accept that life is a mixture of good and bad.
“Every sweet has its sour; every evil its good”, he said.
13. Renew yourself
- continually exploit your strengths.
- improve yourself physically, intellectually and spiritually.
Key quote on health
The first wealth is health.
Key quote on love
Make yourself necessary to somebody. Don’t make life hard to anybody.
Key quote on human resource
management
We put our love where we have put our labour
Key quote on
stress
Always do what you are afraid to do.
Key quote on education and
training
An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.
Key quotes on
success
No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself.
Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.
Key quote on
careers
Character is higher than intellect.
Key quote on objectives and
vision
Hitch your wagon to a star.
Key quote on
ethics
Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.
Key quote on peace of
mind
Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.
Key quote on
empowerment
Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly, and they will show themselves great.
Key quote on positive
thinking
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Key quote on decision
making
The ancestor of every action is a thought.
Key quote on
change
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest achievement.
Key quote on
creativity
The creation of a thousand forests is one acorn.
Key quote on
religion
The test of a religion or philosophy is the number of things it can explain.
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