Emerson on History

Quotations and fragments from Emerson's Essay "History".

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Facts encumber [men], tyrannize over them . . . a literal obedience to facts . . .

The men that are admired also speak of what is within their admirers. *

By a deeper apprehension . . . the artist attains the power of awakening other souls.

[Man at times] pierces to the truth through . . . the caricature of institutions.

The transmigration of souls is no fable.

[Learn to observe first-hand what you can.]