“If the government is cruel, the governor’s life is not safe.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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 reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.”
— 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 source“The years teach much which the days never know.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary sourceMore quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson →
“A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“We must be our own [friend] before we can be another’s.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“A new-born government must dazzle.”
— Napoleon Bonaparte Disputed“Life is a journey, not a destination.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson DisputedPolitics Wicked Cause and Effect