Emerson & Thoreau Aphorisms Quiz

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| Questions: 26 | Updated: Jan 28, 2026
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1. Who said, 'Goodness is the only investment that never fails.'?

Explanation

The quote 'Goodness is the only investment that never fails.' is attributed to Henry David Thoreau, not the other listed individuals.

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About This Quiz
Philosophy Quizzes & Trivia

Transcendental wisdom with this Emerson Thoreau aphorisms quiz on quotes. This transcendentalism quotes quiz covers key lines and themes through American literature test MCQs.

Perfect for students seeking literature practice or quotes review, it includes context with clear explanations. Deepen philosophical insight. Ideal for American lit. Start this quiz today and... see moreEmerson Thoreau mastery! see less

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2. Who said the famous quote, 'Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads'?

Explanation

The correct answer is Henry David Thoreau, known for his transcendentalist writings and thoughts on nature and spirituality.

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3. Who said the following quote? 'I should not talk so much about myself were there anybody else whom I knew as well.'

Explanation

The correct answer is Henry David Thoreau, known for his work in philosophy and literature, particularly for his book 'Walden'. The quote reflects Thoreau's introspective and reflective nature.

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4. Who is credited with the quote, 'The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait until that other is ready'?

Explanation

The quote is often attributed to Henry David Thoreau, an American essayist, poet, and philosopher known for his transcendentalist writings.

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5. Who said, 'That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.'?

Explanation

The quote 'That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.' is attributed to Henry David Thoreau, known for his emphasis on simplicity and natural living.

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6. Who said, 'The language of friendship is not words but meanings'?

Explanation

The correct answer is Henry David Thoreau. This quote reflects the idea that true friendship is not about the words we say, but the deeper meanings and understanding between friends.

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7. Who is credited with the quote 'Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it'?

Explanation

The correct answer is Henry David Thoreau. While all the individuals listed are famous for their own achievements and contributions, the quote in question is often attributed to Thoreau, emphasizing the idea that success often results from hard work and dedication rather than actively seeking it out.

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8. Who is credited with the quote, 'To know that we know what we know, and that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge'?

Explanation

The quote is attributed to Henry David Thoreau, known for his transcendentalist writings and philosophy.

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9. Who said, 'I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude'?

Explanation

The quote is from Henry David Thoreau, reflecting his love for solitude and nature in his writing.

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10. Who said, 'For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure'?

Explanation

The quote is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, known for his transcendentalist philosophy and writings on individualism and nonconformity.

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11. Who said, 'Trust thyself; every heart vibrates to that iron string'?

Explanation

The quote 'Trust thyself; every heart vibrates to that iron string' is actually from Ralph Waldo Emerson. While all the other options are famous American writers, the correct answer is Emerson, known for his work in the transcendentalist movement.

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12. Who said the following quote: 'To be awake is to be alive. I have never met a man yet who was quite awake.'?

Explanation

The quote provided is attributed to Henry David Thoreau, known for his transcendentalist beliefs and writings on nature and simplicity. While Ralph Waldo Emerson was a fellow transcendentalist who influenced Thoreau, Mark Twain was known for his wit and humor, and Emily Dickinson was a renowned poet who focused on themes of life, love, and nature.

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13. Who said, 'Hitch your wagon to a star'?

Explanation

The correct answer is Ralph Waldo Emerson. This quote is often attributed to Emerson as a metaphor for setting high goals and aspirations in life.

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14. Who is attributed with the statement 'If I know your sect, I anticipate your argument'?

Explanation

The correct answer, Ralph Waldo Emerson, is known for his essays and lectures on individualism, self-reliance, and the power of intuition. This quote reflects his belief in understanding a person's background or beliefs to anticipate the arguments they may present.

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15. Who is credited with the quote: 'If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears.'

Explanation

The quote is commonly attributed to Henry David Thoreau, known for his individualistic beliefs and writings. While Ralph Waldo Emerson was a contemporary of Thoreau and also a Transcendentalist thinker, he did not write this particular quote. Mark Twain was a renowned American author known for classics like 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,' but not this quote. Maya Angelou was a prolific writer and civil rights activist, but this quote does not originate from her.

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16. Who famously stated 'Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity'?

Explanation

The quote 'Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity' is attributed to Henry David Thoreau, an American essayist, poet, and philosopher known for his book 'Walden'. While Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson were all notable American writers, the quote specifically originates from Thoreau's work.

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17. Who famously said, 'To be great is to be misunderstood'?

Explanation

The quote 'To be great is to be misunderstood' is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, known for his transcendentalist philosophy in the 19th century.

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18. Who said the following quote: 'With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do'?

Explanation

The quote 'With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do' is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, lecturer, and poet. It reflects his belief in the value of individualism and non-conformity.

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19. Who wrote the following quote: 'Why should we live with such hurry and waste life? We are determined to be starved before we are hungry.'?

Explanation

The quote is a reflection of Thoreau's belief in the importance of living deliberately and simplifying one's life, as expressed in his work 'Walden.' While Ralph Waldo Emerson was a contemporary of Thoreau and had similar transcendentalist beliefs, this quote can be attributed to Thoreau. Mark Twain and Emily Dickinson, though influential writers of their time, did not express similar sentiments in their works.

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20. Who said the following quote: 'I hope in these days we have heard the last of conformity and consistency.'?

Explanation

The quote 'I hope in these days we have heard the last of conformity and consistency.' is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, lecturer, and poet who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century.

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21. Who said the following quote: 'The morning, which is the most memorable season of the day, is the awakening hour'?

Explanation

The quote 'The morning, which is the most memorable season of the day, is the awakening hour' is attributed to Henry David Thoreau, known for his transcendentalist writings.

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22. Who stated the quote 'Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist'?

Explanation

The quote 'Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist' is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, emphasizing the importance of individualism and nonconformity in becoming a true man.

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23. Who said the quote: 'What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think'?

Explanation

The quote 'What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think' is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century.

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24. Who said the following quote: 'And I am sure that I never read any memorable news in a newspaper..to a philosopher all news, as it is called, is gossip'?

Explanation

The quote is attributed to Henry David Thoreau, known for his transcendentalist philosophy and writings on nature and simplicity.

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25. Who said the quote 'Nothing can bring you peace but yourself'?

Explanation

The quote 'Nothing can bring you peace but yourself' is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, lecturer, and poet.

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26. Who said the following quote: 'Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not'?

Explanation

The quote is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, a renowned American essayist, lecturer, and poet known for his philosophical writings.

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Who said, 'Goodness is the only investment that never fails.'?
Who said the famous quote, 'Heaven is under our feet as well as over...
Who said the following quote? 'I should not talk so much about myself...
Who is credited with the quote, 'The man who goes alone can start...
Who said, 'That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.'?
Who said, 'The language of friendship is not words but meanings'?
Who is credited with the quote 'Success usually comes to those who are...
Who is credited with the quote, 'To know that we know what we know,...
Who said, 'I never found the companion that was so companionable as...
Who said, 'For nonconformity the world whips you with its...
Who said, 'Trust thyself; every heart vibrates to that iron string'?
Who said the following quote: 'To be awake is to be alive. I have...
Who said, 'Hitch your wagon to a star'?
Who is attributed with the statement 'If I know your sect, I...
Who is credited with the quote: 'If a man does not keep pace with his...
Who famously stated 'Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity'?
Who famously said, 'To be great is to be misunderstood'?
Who said the following quote: 'With consistency a great soul has...
Who wrote the following quote: 'Why should we live with such hurry and...
Who said the following quote: 'I hope in these days we have heard the...
Who said the following quote: 'The morning, which is the most...
Who stated the quote 'Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist'?
Who said the quote: 'What I must do is all that concerns me, not what...
Who said the following quote: 'And I am sure that I never read any...
Who said the quote 'Nothing can bring you peace but yourself'?
Who said the following quote: 'Though we travel the world over to find...
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