Who said “Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can.”?

Verified

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

SourceThe Conduct of Life (1860)

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Conduct of Life (1860).

APA

Emerson, R. W. (n.d.). Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22481-our-chief-want-in-life-is-somebody-who/

MLA

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22481-our-chief-want-in-life-is-somebody-who/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22481-our-chief-want-in-life-is-somebody-who/.

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