Quotations and Literature Forum

I have seen the following quotation a number of times: "Do not go where the path may lead. Instead, go where there is no path and leave a trail" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson. I have been searching for the source of this qoute (ie. what essay the qoute is from) and cannot figure it out!! Can anyone help me?? This is important to me becuase I had told a notable diplomat that I would find the source at a recent luncheon. It was one of his favorite qoutes. My most reliable Emerson sources have not pulled through for me. Hope someone can help! Thank you very much for trying!! ~ Fraggle ~

Good luck! It is attributed to Emerson all over the place, but a citation is fleeting.

There are other versions by Muriel Strode and Robert Frost.

Phaedrus-- I didnt realize the other variations. Interesting. I wonder if it is possible all of those Emerson citations are misguided? BTW--like your name--your favorite of Plato's dialogues, perhaps ?

They may be misquotations.

I actually took the name Phaedrus from the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, the narrator's altar ego.

There are actually quite a few citings that give it to:
Unknown or anonymous
http://www.geminaigraphics.com/pandq/quotes/
http://www.theotherpages.org/quote-18.html

Muriel Strode
http://www.theotherpages.org/quote-09c.html
David Perkins
http://followyourdreams.com/justarrived.html
Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible. A leader goes where there is no path and takes others with him or he leaves a trail for others to follow. A manager follows a trail and may bring others with him on the journey. He may direct others to follow the trail. A manager helps people to see themselves as they are. A leader helps people to see themselves better than they are.
--- Copyright © 2000 R. T. Novy
http://www.motivateus.com/cust-10.htm
" The road to success is not a path you find but a trail you blaze."
--- Robert Brault
http://www.motivateus.com/rememb-9.htm
Check out "The Calf-Path" by Sam Walter Foss
http://www.2think.org/calfpath.shtml

Phaedrus---that is a good book.
thenostromo--thanks for those links. It seems that the qoute may indeed be wrongly attributed to emerson. Although it is the spirit of Emerson's mindset, I would rather not qoute that as Emerson anymore until I find the original source.