I hate the giving of the hand unless the whole man accompanies it.
Interpretation
Emerson emphasizes the importance of genuine connection over superficial gestures.
In this quote, Ralph Waldo Emerson suggests that true expressions of friendship or camaraderie require more than just physical gestures, such as a handshake. He implies that for a connection to be meaningful, it must involve the entirety of a person—emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually—rather than just a mere outward display of friendship.
In practice
In a speech about meaningful relationships, one could use this quote to highlight the value of true connection.
It is plain that there is no separate essence called courage, no cup or cell in the brain, no vessel in the heart containing drops or atoms that make or give this virtue; but it is the right or healthy state of every man, when he is free to do that which is constitutional to him to do.
Few people have any next, they live from hand to mouth without a plan, and are always at the end of their line.
Men cease to interest us when we find their limitations
Tis the good reader that makes the good book; a good head cannot read amiss: in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakeably meant for his ear.
The world belongs to the energetic.
Hast thou named all the birds without a gun?
I've come to give you your gift back, Mordeth," Cauthon whispered. "I consider our debt paid in full.
Friendship increases in visiting friends, but in visiting them seldom.
A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.
We spoke of how to say good-bye,” Jem said. “When Jonathan bid farewell to David, he said, ‘Go in peace, for as much as we have sworn, both of us, saying the Lord be between me and thee, forever.’ They did not see each other again, but they did not forget. So it will be with us. When I am Brother Zachariah, when I no longer see the world with my human eyes, I will still be in some part the Jem you knew, and I will see you with the eyes of my heart.
Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend.
But sometimes it's like you just meet someone and you just know that you're totally connected, and this person is, like, your brother - or your sister. Even if they don't, like, recognize it, you feel it. And in a lot of ways it don't matter if they do or they don't see that for what it is - all you can do is put the feeling out there. That's your duty. Then you just wait and see what comes back to you. That's the deal.
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