It would have been a happiness, doubtless, to both of us, to come into habits of unreserved intercourse.

It was easy to talk with him; there were no barriers; only he said so little that I talked too much, and stopped only because, as he gave no indication, I feared to exceed.

He showed no egotism or self-assertion; rather a humility, and at one time a fear that he had written himself out.

I do not think any of his books worthy his genius.

I admired the man, who was simple, amiable, truth-loving, and frank in conversation, but I never read his books with pleasure; they are too young." Emerson was greedy for ideas, and the pure, limpid literature of Hawthorne did not satisfy him.
Hawthorne's estimate of Emerson was far more just and penetrating; he described him very correctly as "a great original thinker" whose "mind acted upon other minds of a certain constitution with wonderful magnetism, and drew many men upon long pilgrimages to speak with him face to face.