Monday, June 30, 2014

A record of new thoughts and a receptacle of old ideas


Still working on a bit of journal-related research over here. As I mentioned last week, I've ended up with an unexpected side project: a small -- but growing! -- list of quotes from an interesting range of journal-keepers regarding their reasons for journal writing. I thought it might be fun to share as I go along.

Today's quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote in his journal on January 25, 1820 at age 16:

"These pages are intended at their commencement to contain a record of new thoughts (when they occur); for a receptacle of all the old ideas that partial but peculiar peepings at antiquity can furnish or furbish; for tablet to save the wear and tear of weak Memory, and, in short, for all the various purposes and utility, real or imaginary, which are usually comprehended under that comprehensive title Common Place book."

From The Heart of Emerson's Journals, edited by Bliss Perry

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.