Kindness matters.

This is to have succeeded

Also from Keith; I love his collection of quotes.

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

July 19th, 2008 at 10:11 am


5 Responses to “This is to have succeeded”

  1. D. Johnson Says:

    A great quote, and very true though often misattributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, it’s by Bessie Anderson Stanley in Heart Throbs Vol 2 (1911).

  2. D. Johnson Says:

    Interestingly, here’s the original version by Bessie:

    He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;
    Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;
    Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
    Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it;
    Who has left the world better than he found it,
    Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
    Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
    Whose life was an inspiration;
    Whose memory a benediction.

    It was written for a contest held by Brown Book Magazine in 1904.

  3. Ours Truly Says:

    <p>Thanks Dan. I like that version too, and I’m glad to have such a brilliant mind read my blog.</p>

  4. nina Says:

    that’s beautiful, i really needed that right now…love you, claire, and thanks to keith, he sounds like a wise man…:D…i will “cut, paste, and print”…and hang in my classroom…

  5. nina Says:

    BTW, claire, i LOVE your new blog, i haven’t been in the “blog world” for a while, but yours is perfect…:D

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