--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You know, in physics there's the old law…" description: "\"You know, 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 ther..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/037/al-gore-609_action_you-know-in-physics-there-s-the-old-law_1917094.jpg" --- # You know, in physics there's the old law for every action… ![“You know, 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 making nonsensical statements, but wielding power behind them a lot of people say, "Well, I need to react to that." I think that's happening.” quote by Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/037/al-gore-609_action_you-know-in-physics-there-s-the-old-law_1917094.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/037/al-gore-609_action_you-know-in-physics-there-s-the-old-law_1917094.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/037/al-gore-609_action_you-know-in-physics-there-s-the-old-law_1917094.jpg) > “You know, 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 making nonsensical statements, but wielding power behind them a lot of people say, "Well, I need to react to that." I think that's happening.” [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 are often justified as reactions, but this can mask underlying power dynamics and lead to ineffective responses. **In simple terms:** People react to power, not always responsibly. Key Takeaway Question motives behind reactions. Themes politics power reaction responsibility Mood critical analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy debate - media criticism - activism - leadership Key Concepts sociology political science psychology Questions to Reflect On - What drives your reaction to power? - How can you ensure reactions are constructive? A Different Perspective Reactions can be misdirected if not based on truth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [The Libra motto might be "To every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-libra-motto-might-be-to-every-action-there-is-an-opposite-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To any action there is always an opposite and equal reaction; in other words, the actions of two bodies upon each other are always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-newton/to-any-action-there-is-always-an-opposite-and-equal-reaction-in-other/) [Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-newton/) > [“Every kind word or action has an equal reaction. What you put out comes back to you. Why not make it caring and joyful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-leigh-mercree/every-kind-word-or-action-has-an-equal-reaction-what-you-put-out/) [Amy Leigh Mercree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-leigh-mercree/) > [“In politics somebody has to lose, but invariably everybody thinks they can win. And you probably can’t win unless you believe that you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wolff/in-politics-somebody-has-to-lose-but-invariably-everybody-thinks-they/) [Michael Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wolff/) > [You can't be involved in modern American politics without somebody attacking you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/you-can-t-be-involved-in-modern-american-politics-without-somebody/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [I am not a man who looks for solutions in God or politics. If somebody else wants to do the dirty work and create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/i-am-not-a-man-who-looks-for-solutions-in-god-or-politics-if-somebody/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [“In politics somebody has to lose, but invariably everybody thinks they can win.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wolff/in-politics-somebody-has-to-lose-but-invariably-everybody-thinks-they-2/) [Michael Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wolff/) > [To every action there is always opposed an equal reaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-newton/to-every-action-there-is-always-opposed-an-equal-reaction/) [Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-newton/) > [“do unto others as you would've them do unto you. scientific prove that to be a fact for every action is the opposite as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-griffin/do-unto-others-as-you-would-ve-them-do-unto-you-scientific-prove-that/) [Eddie Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-griffin/) > [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/) > [“What are you rambling about, you nonsensical contradiction?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mckelle-george/what-are-you-rambling-about-you-nonsensical-contradiction/) [McKelle George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mckelle-george/) > [When 'The Thin Blue Line' came out, I was criticized by many people for using reenactments, as if I wasn't dedicated to the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errol-morris/when-the-thin-blue-line-came-out-i-was-criticized-by-many-people-for/) [Errol Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errol-morris/) > [“Your realm is an insane place. In Volaria, no-one goes hungry, slaves are no use when they starve. Those freeborn too lazy or lacking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-ryan/your-realm-is-an-insane-place-in-volaria-no-one-goes-hungry-slaves/) [Anthony Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-ryan/) > [Seen from the point of view of the composer, the most nonsensical practice is that of casting people in musicals who are unable to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-gold/seen-from-the-point-of-view-of-the-composer-the-most-nonsensical/) Ernest Gold > [One defining symptom of decadence is a fondness for vast and nonsensical extravagance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-silverberg/one-defining-symptom-of-decadence-is-a-fondness-for-vast-and/) [Robert Silverberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-silverberg/) ## 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! 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