Margaret Fuller quotes - page 4

Margaret Fuller was an American journalist, critic, and women's rights advocate associated with the transcendentalist movement. A key figure in American intellectual life, she edited "The Dial" and championed social reform. She inspired generations with her work on gender equality and broadened the role of women in society. Here are 155 of her quotes:

Wouldst have the princely spirit bowed? Whisper only, speak not loud, Mark and leave him in the crowd.Thou need'st not spies nor jailers have; The free will serve thee like the slave, Coward shrinking from the brave.

Margaret Fuller

To me, our destinies seem flower and fruit Born of an ever-generating root...

Margaret Fuller

This is my tendency; but can I say That this my thought leads the true, only way? I only know it constant leads, and I obey.

Margaret Fuller

Life-flow of my natal hour, I will not weary of thy power, Till in the changes of thy sound A chord's three parts distinct are found. I will faithful move with thee, God-ordered, self-fed energy, Nature in eternity.

Margaret Fuller

We will worship by impromptu symbols, till the religion is framed for all Humanity. The beauty grows around us daily, the trees are now all in blossom and some of the vines; there is a Crown Imperial just in perfection, to which I paid my evening worship by the light of the fire, which reached to us, and there are flashes of lightning too. But I do not like the lightning so well as once, having been in too great danger. Yet just now a noble flash falls upon my paper, it ought to have noble thoughts to illumine, instead of these little nothings, but indeed to-night I write only to say: thou dear, dear friend, and we must must meet soon.

Margaret Fuller

Be what you would seem to be - or, if you'd like it put more simply - a house is no home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.

Margaret Fuller

Whatever the soul knows how to seek, it cannot fail to obtain.

Margaret Fuller

I have urged on woman independence of man, not that I do not think the sexes mutually needed by one another, but because in woman this fact has led to an excessive devotion, which has cooled love, degraded marriage and prevented it her sex from being what it should be to itself or the other. I wish woman to live, first for God's sake. Then she will not take what is not fit for her from a sense of weakness and poverty. Then if she finds what she needs in man embodied, she will know how to love and be worthy of being loved.

Margaret Fuller

Give me truth; cheat me by no illusion.

Margaret Fuller

Pain has no effect but to steal some of my time.

Margaret Fuller

Truth is the first of jewels.

Margaret Fuller

We cannot have expression till there is something to be expressed.

Margaret Fuller

Artists are always young.

Margaret Fuller

See the wild herd nobly ranging, Nature varying, not changing, Lawful in their lawless ranging.

Margaret Fuller

With equal sweetness the commissioned hours Shed light and dew upon both weeds and flowers.

Margaret Fuller

One presence fill and floods the whole serene; Nothing can be, nothing has ever been, Except the one truth that creates the scene.

Margaret Fuller

There is another mode which enters into the natural history of every thing that breathes and lives, which believes no impulse to be entirely in vain, which scrutinizes circumstances, motive and object before it condemns, and believes there is a beauty in natural form, if its law and purpose be understood.

Margaret Fuller

My country is at present spoiled by prosperity, stupid with the lust of gain, soiled by crime in its willing perpetuation of slavery, shamed by an unjust war, noble sentiment much forgotten even by individuals, the aims of politicians selfish or petty, the literature frivolous and venal.

Margaret Fuller

Always the soul says to us all, Cherish your best hopes as a faith, and abide by them in action. Such shall be the effectual fervent means to their fulfilment.

Margaret Fuller

Mercury has cast aside The signs of intellectual pride, Freely offers thee the soul: Art thou noble to receive?

Margaret Fuller

I am absurdly fearful, and various omens have combined to give me a dark feeling.

Margaret Fuller

The better part of wisdom is a sublime prudence, a pure and patient truth that will receive nothing it is not sure it can permanently lay to heart.

Margaret Fuller