The complete works of Ralph Waldo Emerson: Society and solitude [Vol. 7]

and abrogate any constitution in Europe and America. It was said that a man has at one step attained vast power, who has renounced his moral sentiment, and settled it with himself that he will no longer stick at anything. It was said of Sir William Pepperell, one of the worthies of New England, that, "put him where you might, he commanded, and saw what he willed come to pass." Julius Caesar said to Metellus, when that tribune interfered to hinder him from entering the Roman treasury, "Young man, it is easier for me to put you to death than to say that I will;" and the youth yielded. In earlier days, he was taken by pirates. What then? He threw himself into their ship, established the most extraordinary intimacies, told them stories, declaimed to them; if they did not applaud his speeches, he threatened them with hanging,—which he performed afterwards,—and, in a short time, was master of all on board. A man this is who cannot be disconcerted, and so can never play his last card, but has a reserve of power when he has hit his mark. With a serene face, he subverts a kingdom. What is told of him is miraculous; it affects men so. The confidence of men in him is lavish, and he changes the face of the world, and histories, poems and new philosophies

Pages

About this Item

Title: The complete works of Ralph Waldo Emerson: Society and solitude [Vol. 7]
Author: Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882.
Canvas: Page 78
Publication: Boston ; New York :: Houghton, Mifflin,; [1903-1904].

Technical Details

Collection: The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson
Link to this Item: https://name.umdl.umich.edu/4957107.0007.001
Link to this scan: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/emerson/4957107.0007.001/92

Rights and Permissions

The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes. These materials are believed to be in the public domain; however, if you decide to use any of these materials, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission. If you have questions about the collection, please contact Digital Collections Help at [email protected]. If you have concerns about the inclusion of an item in this collection, please contact Library Information Technology at [email protected].

DPLA Rights Statement: No Copyright - United States

IIIF

Manifest: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/api/manifest/emerson:4957107.0007.001

Cite this Item

Full citation: "The complete works of Ralph Waldo Emerson: Society and solitude [Vol. 7]." In the digital collection The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/4957107.0007.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 13, 2025.

The complete works of Ralph Waldo Emerson: Society and solitude [Vol. 7]

Annotations Tools

Actions

About this Item

Technical Details

Rights and Permissions

Related Links

IIIF

Cite this Item