Compensation (Primary source)
Emerson explores the law of compensation, suggesting that every action (cause) has a corresponding reaction (effect), meaning that there is no free lunch, but we get what we give.
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“The law of nature is, do the thing, and you shall have the power: but they who do not the thing have not the power.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary sourceMore quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson →
“Where there’s no law, there’s no bread.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“We must be our own [friend] before we can be another’s.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“Life is a journey, not a destination.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Disputed“A new-born government must dazzle.”
— Napoleon Bonaparte DisputedPolitics Wicked Cause and Effect