Who said “He is great who is what he is from nature, and who never reminds us of others.”?

Verified

Ralph Waldo Emerson. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceRepresentative Men (1850)

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For academic work, cite the original where you can: Representative Men (1850).

APA

Emerson, R. W. (n.d.). He is great who is what he is from nature, and who never reminds us of others. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20395-he-is-great-who-is-what-he-is/

MLA

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “He is great who is what he is from nature, and who never reminds us of others.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20395-he-is-great-who-is-what-he-is/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “He is great who is what he is from nature, and who never reminds us of others.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/20395-he-is-great-who-is-what-he-is/.

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“Sighing that Nature formed but one such man, and broke the die.”
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VerifiedLine 117; this can be compared to: "Natura il fece, e poi ruppe la stampa" (translated: "Nature made him, and then broke the mould"), Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, canto x, stanza 84; · evidenceDetails & citeGreatness
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