“Of cheerfulness, or a good temper, the more it is spent, the more of it remains.”
What this quote means
Emerson overturns the idea that cheerfulness is depleted by spending it. On the contrary, the more we share it, the more it grows. This quote resonates because it encourages us not to hoard our good mood but to spread it generously. It applies when we feel tired or irritable, reminding us that joy is a renewable resource, provided we cultivate and transmit it.
How to apply it daily
In a difficult interaction, offer a smile or a kind word; you'll see your own mood improve.
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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