--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's a law of physics: For every…" description: "\"There's a law of physics: For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. And sometimes that shows up in politics and society. And I think tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/al-gore-609_action_there-s-a-law-of-physics-for-every-actio_1979588.jpg" --- # There's a law of physics: For every action there's an… ![“There's a law of physics: For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. And sometimes that shows up in politics and society. And I think that the reaction to President Trump's decision on the Paris Agreement has been much stronger than I had even hoped for. And the determination being…” quote by Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/al-gore-609_action_there-s-a-law-of-physics-for-every-actio_1979588.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/al-gore-609_action_there-s-a-law-of-physics-for-every-actio_1979588.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/al-gore-609_action_there-s-a-law-of-physics-for-every-actio_1979588.jpg) > “There's a law of physics: For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. And sometimes that shows up in politics and society. And I think that the reaction to President Trump's decision on the Paris Agreement has been much stronger than I had even hoped for. And the determination being expressed by so many people in state governments, city governments, in the business community, the investor community, is really heartening to me.” [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actions trigger counteractions; political decisions often provoke stronger societal responses. **In simple terms:** Every action creates a reaction, especially in politics. Key Takeaway Expect strong pushback to major policy shifts. Themes politics reaction activism policy societal dynamics Mood concerned hopeful critical Type observational analytical When to use this quote - environmental policy debates - business community responses - state and city government actions - public protests Key Concepts Newtonian physics feedback loops collective behavior Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders anticipate societal reactions? - What mechanisms amplify policy backlash? A Different Perspective Reactions can be unpredictable and may not align with intended outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Agreement Stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agreement-stronger-3372932/) [Business community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-community/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Equal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal/) [Investors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investors/) [Paris Agreement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paris-agreement/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [President trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president-trump/) [Reaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reaction/) [Reaction President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reaction-president-890033/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stronger/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Trump Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump-decision-1710295/) ## Related quotes > [I think it's appropriate in America for anyone to speak out and say what their reaction is to the president's State of the Union…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jordan/i-think-it-s-appropriate-in-america-for-anyone-to-speak-out-and-say/) [Jim Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jordan/) > [One of the most depressing things about President Donald Trump's decision to roll back elements of the Cuba opening is how predictable it was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/one-of-the-most-depressing-things-about-president-donald-trump-s/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Why was Donald Trump's decision not to participate in the Fox debate such a big deal?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-martin/why-was-donald-trump-s-decision-not-to-participate-in-the-fox-debate/) [Michel Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-martin/) > [“From a raw political standpoint, Trump’s decision to adopt a set of views that offended and alienated minority voters, ugly though it was, turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-green/from-a-raw-political-standpoint-trump-s-decision-to-adopt-a-set-of/) [Joshua Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-green/) > [In physics there's the old law for every action there's a equal amount of reaction. Sometimes that's true in politics. If somebody's out there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/in-physics-there-s-the-old-law-for-every-action-there-s-a-equal/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I would distinguish between Donald Trump and the United States of America. Although he is president, he does not speak for the country on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/i-would-distinguish-between-donald-trump-and-the-united-states-of/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [“Having spent the better part of my life for the past several decades trying to learn from experts on the climate crisis and working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/having-spent-the-better-part-of-my-life-for-the-past-several-decades/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [“What is the Paris Climate Agreement? 195 countries signed a pledge to keep global temperature rise below 2°C (3.6°F), and, if possible, below 1.5°C…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/what-is-the-paris-climate-agreement-195-countries-signed-a-pledge-to/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [A majority of Trump's voters were in favor of staying in the Paris Agreement. And if you look at what's really happening in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/a-majority-of-trump-s-voters-were-in-favor-of-staying-in-the-paris/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The message from Wal-Mart today to the rest of the business community is there need not be any conflict between the environment and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-message-from-wal-mart-today-to-the-rest-of-the-business-community/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I'm still trying to figure out exactly what President Trump represents in American politics. But, if nothing else, he represents a way for tens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/i-m-still-trying-to-figure-out-exactly-what-president-trump/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [When you talk about President Trump, the cable networks turned over so many hours of prime time to him. Why? Because he was entertaining,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/when-you-talk-about-president-trump-the-cable-networks-turned-over-so/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The conniving, rich oilmen that were so desperate to prevent and frustrate the Paris Agreement found cheerleaders in Mr. Trump and his party. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-byanyima/the-conniving-rich-oilmen-that-were-so-desperate-to-prevent-and/) [Winnie Byanyima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-byanyima/) > [Achieving the aims and ambitions of the Paris Agreement are not a given. The world needs to understand the urgency and complexity of what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-espinosa/achieving-the-aims-and-ambitions-of-the-paris-agreement-are-not-a/) [Patricia Espinosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-espinosa/) > [If you have a look a few years back down the line then you will find that the previous government had made a big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-thakur/if-you-have-a-look-a-few-years-back-down-the-line-then-you-will-find/) [Anurag Thakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-thakur/) ## More by Al Gore > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Mother Nature does not do bailouts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/mother-nature-does-not-do-bailouts/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-climate-crisis-is-not-a-political-issue-it-is-a-moral-and/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I decided to pick the diet that I thought would maximize my chances of long-term survival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/i-decided-to-pick-the-diet-that-i-thought-would-maximize-my-chances/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [You know there's an old african proverb that i made up: "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/you-know-there-s-an-old-african-proverb-that-i-made-up-if-you-want-to/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [One tragic example of the loss of forests and then water is found in Ethiopia. The amount of its forested land has decreased from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/one-tragic-example-of-the-loss-of-forests-and-then-water-is-found-in/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The ten hottest years in the atmospheric record, going back only 160 years, have been in the last eleven years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-ten-hottest-years-in-the-atmospheric-record-going-back-only-160/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Hey, you know what, I've gotta go on that 'Letterman' show. That show is so lame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/hey-you-know-what-i-ve-gotta-go-on-that-letterman-show-that-show-is/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [When you talk about President Trump, the cable networks turned over so many hours of prime time to him. Why? Because he was entertaining,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/when-you-talk-about-president-trump-the-cable-networks-turned-over-so/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/iraq-does-pose-a-serious-threat-to-the-stability-of-the-persian-gulf/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There are skeptics who do not come to their view because they have a source of income from carbon polluters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-are-skeptics-who-do-not-come-to-their-view-because-they-have-a/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Our civilization is experiencing unprecedented changes across many realms, largely due to the rapid advancement of information technology. The ability to code and understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/our-civilization-is-experiencing-unprecedented-changes-across-many/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There are many who would much prefer that the word 'climate' never be mentioned and that the issue be eliminated from our national conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-are-many-who-would-much-prefer-that-the-word-climate-never-be/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [As many know, the Chinese expression for "crisis" consists of two characters side by side. The first is the symbol for "danger," the second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/as-many-know-the-chinese-expression-for-crisis-consists-of-two/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I think George W. Bush has a warm, engaging personality. But, you know, the presidency is more than just a popularity contest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/i-think-george-w-bush-has-a-warm-engaging-personality-but-you-know/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) [Explore all 447 Al Gore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's a law of physics: For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. And sometimes that shows up in politics and society. And I think that the reaction to President Trump's decision on the Paris Agreement has been much stronger than I had even hoped for. And the determination being expressed by so many people in state governments, city governments, in the business community, the investor community, is really heartening to me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Al Gore" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-s-a-law-of-physics-for-every-action-there-s-an-equal-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-s-a-law-of-physics-for-every-action-there-s-an-equal-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/al-gore-609_action_there-s-a-law-of-physics-for-every-actio_1979588.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/al-gore-609_action_there-s-a-law-of-physics-for-every-actio_1979588.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/al-gore-609_action_there-s-a-law-of-physics-for-every-actio_1979588.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There's a law of physics: For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. And sometimes that shows…” — Al Gore", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Al Gore", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There's a law of physics: For...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-s-a-law-of-physics-for-every-action-there-s-an-equal-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-s-a-law-of-physics-for-every-action-there-s-an-equal-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```