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  ...labor and difficulty; he has but to open his eyes to see things in a true light, and in large relations; whilst they must make painful corrections, and keep a vigilant eye on many sources of error. His service to us is of like sort. It costs a beautiful person no exertion to paint her image on our eyes; yet how splendid is that benefit! It costs no more for a wise soul to convey his quality to other men. And every one can do his best thing easiest--"_Peu de moyens, beaucoup d'effet._" He is great who is what he is from nature, and who never reminds us of others.  
But he must be related to us, and our life receive from him some promise of explanation. I cannot tell what I would know; but I have observed there are persons, who, in their character and actions, answer questions which I have not skill to put. One man answers some questions which none of his contemporaries put, and is isolated. The past and passing religions and philosophies answer some other question. Certain men affect us as rich possibilities, but helpless to themselves and...   Emerson, Ralph Waldo

Source: Essays--Second Series--Uses of Great Men · Excerpt from Representative Men · This quote is about greatness · Search on Google Books to find all references and sources for this quotation.

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