The gracious lesson taught by science to this country is that the history of Nature from first to last is incessant advance from less to more, from rude to finer organization, the globe of matter thus conspiring with the principle of undying hope in man. Nature works in immense time, and spends individuals and races prodigally to prepare new individuals and races.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet

“The Fortune of the Republic,” lecture, Boston (1878-03-30)
    (Source)

Final version of a lecture first given in 1863, and his last public speech.