Firsts Quote by Edgar Lee Masters
“Those who first oppose a good work, seize it and make it their own, when the cornerstone is laid and memorial tablets are erected.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "Spoon River Anthology", 1915
Opponents may co‑opt a good cause, claiming ownership when it begins.
In simple terms: Opponents hijack good work.
Key Takeaway
Stay vigilant of appropriation.
Themes
power
ownership
integrity
Mood
critical
cautionary
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Social movements
- artistic collaborations
- political campaigns
Key Concepts
Cultural appropriation
political co‑optation
ethical leadership
Questions to Reflect On
- How can creators protect their work?
- When does adoption become exploitation?
A Different Perspective
Good intentions can be corrupted by self‑interest.
![“Since I worked with Danny Boyle before on Slumdog Millionaire, we have great success and everything. So, when I first got the script and the screenplay of Simon (Beaufoy) and I was reading it, even before the shoot, some kind of sounds came into my mind and I put some stuff [down] and sent it to…” quote by A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/573/a-r-rahman-4481_cutting_since-i-worked-with-danny-boyle-before-o_539.jpg)
