Observations placeholder

Ralph Waldo Emerson – Over Soul

The same omniscience flows into the intellect and makes what we call genius.... genius is religious.  It is a larger imbibing of the common heart.

This energy does not descend into individual life on any other condition than entire possession.  It comes to the lowly and simple, it comes to whomsoever will put off what is foreign and proud; it comes as insight, it comes as serenity and grandeur. 

When we see those whom it inhabits we are apprised of new degrees of greatness.  From that inspiration the man comes back with a changed tone.  He does not talk with men with an eye to their opinion. 

He tries them …. the soul that ascendeth to worship the great God is plain and true; has no rose colour, no fine friends; no chivalry; no adventures; does not want admiration; dwells in the hour that now is.

Souls such as these treat you as gods would, but what rebuke their fraternal bearing casts on the mutual flattery with which authors solace each other and wound themselves.  These flatter not! …. Souls like these make us feel that sincerity is more excellent than flattery.