Living counts, not having lived.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
Living counts, not having lived.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
What it means
Past achievements do not keep you alive; only present action does. Emerson says power exists in the moment of moving toward something new. Do not rest on what you used to be.
The source
"Living counts, not having lived." Ralph Waldo Emerson said it in Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841). Written in English: Essays: First Series, 1841.
"Life only avails, not the having lived."Original English (Essays: First Series, 1841), Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841). Text read at gutenberg.org.
Who said it
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882). American essayist and lecturer who led the Transcendentalists. His lines here come from Nature, Self-Reliance and his Essays.
Questions
- What does "Living counts, not having lived." mean?
- Past achievements do not keep you alive; only present action does. Emerson says power exists in the moment of moving toward something new. Do not rest on what you used to be.
- Who said "Living counts, not having lived."?
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882). Source: Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841).
- What is the original wording?
- Life only avails, not the having lived (Original English (Essays: First Series, 1841)). Written in English: Essays: First Series, 1841.
- Is "Living counts, not having lived." on a shirt?
- Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.
Cite this line
"Living counts, not having lived." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841), trans. Original English (Essays: First Series, 1841)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/living-counts-not-having-lived
Filed under Quotes about time.
Wear it your way
The same line in every look it fits. Each one is printed to order on heavy cotton, same price.
More from Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Trust yourself. Every heart vibrates to that iron string.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
- Whoever would be a man must be a nonconformist.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
- Nothing is sacred but the integrity of your own mind.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
- To be great is to be misunderstood.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
- Insist on yourself. Never imitate.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)
- Envy is ignorance. Imitation is suicide.Self-Reliance (Essays: First Series, 1841)