Amos Bronson Alcott quotes - page 2

Amos Bronson Alcott was an American teacher, writer, and philosopher, recognized as a key figure in the Transcendentalist movement. His innovative ideas on education emphasized self-expression, intuition, and child-centered learning. He inspired future generations of educators and was the father of the novelist Louisa May Alcott. Here are 44 of his quotes:

As the man, so his God.

Amos Bronson Alcott

Our dreams drench us in senses, and senses steps us again in dreams.

Amos Bronson Alcott

Observation more than books, experience rather than persons, are the prime educators.

Amos Bronson Alcott

A work of real merit finds favor at last.

Amos Bronson Alcott

There is virtue in country houses, in gardens and orchards, in fields, streams and groves, in rustic recreations and plain manners, that neither cities nor universities enjoy.

Amos Bronson Alcott

The traveled mind is the universal mind educated from exclusiveness and egotism.

Amos Bronson Alcott

Who loves a garden, still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvests reaps.

Amos Bronson Alcott

Devotees of grammatical studies have not been distinguished for any very remarkable felicities of expression.

Amos Bronson Alcott

Stay is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary.

Amos Bronson Alcott

Ever present, potent, vigilant, in the breast of man, there is that which never became a party in his guilt.

Amos Bronson Alcott

It is refreshing, amidst the inane common-places bandied in pulpits and parlors, to hear a hopeful word from an earnest, upright soul.

Amos Bronson Alcott

Enduring fame is ever posthumous. The orbs of virtue and genius seldom culminate during their terrestrial periods.

Amos Bronson Alcott

Believe, youth, despite all temptations, the oracle of deity in your own bosom.

Amos Bronson Alcott

The seraphs descend from heaven, in the solitudes of meditation, in the stillness of prayer.

Amos Bronson Alcott

I read more of the Bhagavad Gita and felt how surpassingly fine were the sentiments. These, or selections from this book should be included in a Bible for Mankind. I think them superior to any of the other Oriental scriptures, the best of all reading for wise men. .... Best of books - containing wisdom blander and far more sane than that of the Hebrews, whether in the mind of Moses or of Him of Nazareth. Were I a preacher, I would venture sometimes to take from its texts the motto and moral of my discourse. It would be healthful and invigorating to breathe some of this mountain air into the lungs of Christendom.

Amos Bronson Alcott

Ever present, potent, vigilant, in the breast of man, there is that which never became a party in his guilt, never consented to a wrong deed, nor performed one, but holds itself above all sin, impeccable, immaculate, immutable, the deity of the heart, the conscience of the soul, the oracle and interpreter, the judge and executor of the divine law.

Amos Bronson Alcott

The true teacher defends his pupils against his own personal influence. He inspires self-trust. He guides their eyes from himself to the spirit that quickens him. He will have no disciples. A noble artist, he has visions of excellence and revelations of beauty, which he has neither impersonated in character, nor embodied in words. His life and teachings are but studies for yet nobler ideals.

Amos Bronson Alcott