“We gain the strength of the temptation we resist.”
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.
“As the Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain the strength of the temptation we resist.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.”
— 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 source“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”
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“It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end.”
— Leonardo da Vinci Primary source“Lend money to an enemy, and thou’lt gain him, to a friend and thou’lt lose him.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“Ask advice of him who governs himself well.”
— Leonardo da Vinci Primary source“He that falls in love with himself, will have no rivals.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source