Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes about Apology

My life is not an apology, but a life.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Apology, Life Is

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1851). “Essays, lectures and orations”, p.24

The sentence must also contain its own apology for being spoken.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Apology, Sentences

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1964). “The Early Lectures of Ralph Waldo Emerson”, p.163, Harvard University Press

Men do what is called a good action, as some piece of courage or charity, much as they would pay a fine in expiation of daily non-appearance on parade. Their works are done as an apology or extenuation of their living in the world. I do not wish to expiate, but to live. My life is not an apology, but a life.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Apology, Men, Wish

Ralph Waldo Emerson (2009). “Essays: Easyread Super Large 18pt Edition”, p.48, ReadHowYouWant.com

My life is not an apology, but a life. It is for itself and not for a spectacle. I much prefer that it should be of a lower strain, so it be genuine and equal, than that it should be glittering and unsteady.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Apology, Self Reliance, Life Is

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Ronald A. Bosco, Joel Myerson (2015). “Ralph Waldo Emerson”, p.131, Harvard University Press

There is no country in which so absolute a homage is paid to wealth. In America there is a touch of shame when a man exhibits theevidences of large property, as if after all it needed apology. But the Englishman has pure pride in his wealth, and esteems it a final certificate. A coarse logic rules throughout all English souls: if you have merit, can you not show it by your good clothes and coach and horses?

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Country, Horse, Apology

Ralph Waldo Emerson (2012). “The Selected Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson”, p.268, Graphic Arts Books