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Source identified
“A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Source
Essays, First Series — Friendship
Date
1841
Attribution
Source identified
Meaning

What does this quote mean?

The metaphor elevates a true friendship above ordinary social convenience, treating the relationship as one of human life’s finest achievements.

Source context

Where does it come from?

Emerson uses this formulation in Friendship while describing the rarity and value of genuine companions.

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Attribution

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This wording is connected with the named source shown above. Translations and editions can vary, so consult the source note when exact wording matters.

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Themes

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