Men grind and grind in the mill of a truism, and nothing comes out but what was put in. But the moment they desert the tradition for a spontaneous thought, then poetry, wit, hope, virtue, learning, anecdote, all flock to their aid.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Literary Ethics

More information about this quote

Topic

Originality

Author

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Source

Literary Ethics

Medium

Essay

Language

English

Time

1838 1830s 19th century

Occupation

Philosopher Writer

From

United States

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Literary Ethics." 24 July 1838, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson about originality: “Men grind and grind in the mill of a truism, and nothing comes out…”
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A quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson about originality: “Men grind and grind in the mill of a truism, and nothing comes out…”
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A quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson about originality: “Men grind and grind in the mill of a truism, and nothing comes out…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson

If the single man plant himself indomitably on his instincts, and there abide, the huge world will come round to him.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The American Scholar

More information about this quote
Topic
Trusting oneself Believing in oneself
Speaker
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Source
The American Scholar
Medium
Speech
Language
English
Time
1837 1830s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "The American Scholar." Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard College. 31 Aug. 1837, First Parish in Cambridge, Cambridge, MA, USA.

Current Citation

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "The American Scholar (1837)." The Portable Emerson, edited by Jeffrey S. Cramer. Penguin Classics, 2014.

Another quote from the 1830s

The pen is mightier than the sword.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton

More information about this quote
Topic
Power of literature
Speaker
Cardinal Richelieu

Author

Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Source
Richelieu
Medium
Play
Genre
History play
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
English
Time
1839 1830s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Bulwer-Lytton, Edward. Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy. 7 Mar. 1839, Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, London, England, UK, act 2, sc. 2.