Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.

More quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson

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"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Compassion

"What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Integrity

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Self-awareness

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Awareness

"The writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Creativity

More Self-esteem Quotes

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"Self-respect tends to inspire respect from others."

- Nathaniel Branden

Self-esteem

"Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality."

- Les Brown

Self-esteem

"You are your best thing."

- Toni Morrison

Self-esteem

"Thinking you’re no-good and worthless is the worst thing you can do."

- Nobito

Self-esteem

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Self-esteem