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Meaning
This sets up a contrast between passive thinking and a more disciplined view of the world. It reads as saying that outcomes are not random gifts, but the result of actions, habits, and consequences. It lands when someone is tempted to blame chance for failure, and the sharper question is what led there.
When It Was Said
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Who It Was Said To
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Historical Context
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Source
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Original Language & Translation
Originally said in English.
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About Ralph Waldo Emerson
American essayist and poet of the 19th century, Emerson is best known for his transcendentalist philosophy and influential lectures on self-reliance and individualism. His works, including "Self-Reliance" and "Nature," championed intuition, personal experience, and the inherent goodness of humanity.
More from Ralph Waldo Emerson (526 quotes) →Other sayings from Ralph Waldo Emerson
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- “Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.”Ralph Waldo Emerson
More Hard Work quotes
READ THE SOURCE
Books by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Essays: First Series
Includes Self-Reliance.