“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”
What this quote means
Ralph Waldo Emerson teaches us the art of closing each day without regret. He acknowledges that we do our best, but mistakes are inevitable; he invites us to leave them behind. This quote resonates because it combats the tendency to ruminate on our failures. It applies in the evening, when stress or guilt overwhelms us, reminding us that each day is a new chance to begin with serenity and determination.
How to apply it daily
Each evening, write down three things you did well and one lesson from a mistake. Then tell yourself, 'Tomorrow is a new day,' and let the rest go.
Reading guide
Which book should you read to discover Ralph Waldo Emerson?
Our starting point
Discovering self-reliance and independence of mind
Essays: First Series
It includes “Self-Reliance,” the essay that unlocks many quotations attributed to Emerson.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Reading time
- 6–8 hours
- Formats to compare
- Print · Ebook · Audio
Merchant links help compare editions. Recommendations are editorially independent.
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