--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who first oppose a good work, seize…" description: "\"Those who first oppose a good work, seize it and make it their own, when the corner - stone is laid and memorial tablets are erected\" — Edgar Lee Masters" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a43/edgar-lee-masters-14862_work_those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize_1549789.png" --- # Those who first oppose a good work, seize it and make it… ![“Those who first oppose a good work, seize it and make it their own, when the corner - stone is laid and memorial tablets are erected” quote by Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a43/edgar-lee-masters-14862_work_those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize_1549789.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a43/edgar-lee-masters-14862_work_those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize_1549789.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a43/edgar-lee-masters-14862_work_those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize_1549789.png) > “Those who first oppose a good work, seize it and make it their own, when the corner - stone is laid and memorial tablets are erected” [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights how opposition can co-opt noble efforts, turning them into personal agendas once they gain prominence. **In simple terms:** Opposition can hijack good work. Key Takeaway Guard the integrity of projects. Themes power corruption idealism Mood cautious critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - activism - policy making - organizational leadership - community projects Key Concepts political science ethics social movements Questions to Reflect On - How can you protect a cause from being co-opted? - What mechanisms ensure accountability? A Different Perspective May underestimate the complexity of opposition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Corner Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corner-stone-489689/) [Laid Memorial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laid-memorial-1831186/) [Memorial Tablets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memorial-tablets-1831184/) [Stone Laid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stone-laid-771312/) [Tablets Erected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tablets-erected-1831183/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [Those who first oppose a good work, seize it and make it their own, when the cornerstone is laid and memorial tablets are erected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize-it-and-make-it-their-own-2/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for his holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-q-cannon/every-foundation-stone-that-is-laid-for-a-temple-and-every-temple/) [George Q. Cannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-q-cannon/) > [There is many a rich stone laid up in the bowels of the earth, many a fair pearl laid up in the bosom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/there-is-many-a-rich-stone-laid-up-in-the-bowels-of-the-earth-many-a/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [The corner-stone of the temple is not higher than the lowest stone in its foundation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/the-corner-stone-of-the-temple-is-not-higher-than-the-lowest-stone-in/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [The stone that the builder refused shall be the head corner stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/the-stone-that-the-builder-refused-shall-be-the-head-corner-stone/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [Into a world unknown,-the corner-stone of a nation!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/into-a-world-unknown-the-corner-stone-of-a-nation/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [The stone that the builder refuse,will be the head corner stone…Never burn your bridge even when u cross it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vc/the-stone-that-the-builder-refuse-will-be-the-head-corner-stone-never/) [Vc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vc/) > [“And that the corner-stone of the temple is not higher than the lowest stone in its foundation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/and-that-the-corner-stone-of-the-temple-is-not-higher-than-the-lowest/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [The family is the corner stone of our society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/the-family-is-the-corner-stone-of-our-society/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [It's no wonder Pep is one of the best coaches in the world. When I knew I could work with him I was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ederson/it-s-no-wonder-pep-is-one-of-the-best-coaches-in-the-world-when-i/) [Ederson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ederson/) > [I go out there and I work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-chubb/i-go-out-there-and-i-work/) [Nick Chubb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-chubb/) > [When I first started writing, when I was 15, I would go to work with people and they would tell me my lyrics were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-claudio/when-i-first-started-writing-when-i-was-15-i-would-go-to-work-with/) [Sabrina Claudio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-claudio/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [If I am going to be phased out by whatever powers, then I want people to know that it is not because I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parvathy/if-i-am-going-to-be-phased-out-by-whatever-powers-then-i-want-people/) [Parvathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parvathy/) ## More by Edgar Lee Masters > [The earth keeps some vibration going There in your heart, and that is you. And if the people find you can fiddle, why fiddle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/the-earth-keeps-some-vibration-going-there-in-your-heart-and-that-is/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [O maternal earth which rocks the fallen leaf to sleep!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/o-maternal-earth-which-rocks-the-fallen-leaf-to-sleep/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [And I never started to plow in my life That some one did not stop in the road And take me away to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/and-i-never-started-to-plow-in-my-life-that-some-one-did-not-stop-in/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [Did I follow Truth wherever she led, And stand against the whole world for a cause, And uphold the weak against the strong? If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/did-i-follow-truth-wherever-she-led-and-stand-against-the-whole-world/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [The spiritual kinship between Lincoln and Whitman was founded upon their Americanism, their essential Westernism. Whitman had grown up without much formal education; Lincoln…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/the-spiritual-kinship-between-lincoln-and-whitman-was-founded-upon/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [“Henry got me with child, Knowing that I could not bring forth life Without losing my own. In my youth therefore I entered the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/henry-got-me-with-child-knowing-that-i-could-not-bring-forth-life/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [There is the silence of age, too full of wisdom for the tongue to utter it in words intelligible to those who have not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/there-is-the-silence-of-age-too-full-of-wisdom-for-the-tongue-to/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [Work for your own soul's sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/work-for-your-own-soul-s-sake/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [The Typical American? He is sent to school Little or much, where he imbibes the rule Of safety first and comfort; in his youth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/the-typical-american-he-is-sent-to-school-little-or-much-where-he/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [Many books have been written to show that Christianity has emasculated the world, that it shoved aside the enlightenment and wisdom of Hellas for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/many-books-have-been-written-to-show-that-christianity-has/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [The dust's for crawling, heaven's for flying, Wherefore, O Soul, whose wings are grown, Soar upward to the sun!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/the-dust-s-for-crawling-heaven-s-for-flying-wherefore-o-soul-whose/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [To put meaning in one's life may end in madness, But life without meaning is the torture Of restlessness and vague desire-It is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/to-put-meaning-in-one-s-life-may-end-in-madness-but-life-without/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [To love is to find your own soul Through the soul of the beloved one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/to-love-is-to-find-your-own-soul-through-the-soul-of-the-beloved-one/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [There is no marriage in Heaven, but there is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/there-is-no-marriage-in-heaven-but-there-is-love/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) > [The mind sees the world as a thing apart, And the soul makes the world at one with itself. A mirror scratched reflects no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/the-mind-sees-the-world-as-a-thing-apart-and-the-soul-makes-the-world/) [Edgar Lee Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) [Explore all 44 Edgar Lee Masters quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/) ## More Work quotes > [If I am going to be phased out by whatever powers, then I want people to know that it is not because I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parvathy/if-i-am-going-to-be-phased-out-by-whatever-powers-then-i-want-people/) [Parvathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parvathy/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [When I first started writing, when I was 15, I would go to work with people and they would tell me my lyrics were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-claudio/when-i-first-started-writing-when-i-was-15-i-would-go-to-work-with/) [Sabrina Claudio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-claudio/) > [I go out there and I work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-chubb/i-go-out-there-and-i-work/) [Nick Chubb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-chubb/) > [It's no wonder Pep is one of the best coaches in the world. When I knew I could work with him I was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ederson/it-s-no-wonder-pep-is-one-of-the-best-coaches-in-the-world-when-i/) [Ederson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ederson/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [High school, going into my junior year, I kind of had the idea I was going to be the starting running back. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saquon-barkley/high-school-going-into-my-junior-year-i-kind-of-had-the-idea-i-was/) [Saquon Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saquon-barkley/) > [Yes, I am happy that my work is recognised, and it is wonderful to be acknowledged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parvathy/yes-i-am-happy-that-my-work-is-recognised-and-it-is-wonderful-to-be/) [Parvathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parvathy/) > [There is a broad range of reaction to the work, as there is a broad range of work I make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-hodges/there-is-a-broad-range-of-reaction-to-the-work-as-there-is-a-broad/) [Jim Hodges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-hodges/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I had an idea for a technologically advanced luxury watch. I got involved in digital art and neon painting and put on shows of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-moroder/i-had-an-idea-for-a-technologically-advanced-luxury-watch-i-got/) [Giorgio Moroder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-moroder/) > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [It's only a little difficult to say no. You've got to believe that the work you're doing is ultimately more useful to the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-sivers/it-s-only-a-little-difficult-to-say-no-you-ve-got-to-believe-that-the/) [Derek Sivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-sivers/) > [It's weird to take your work into a room and everybody reads it. Then comes the terror part, the dissection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-shires/it-s-weird-to-take-your-work-into-a-room-and-everybody-reads-it-then/) [Amanda Shires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-shires/) [Browse all 41,216 Work quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Those who first oppose a good work, seize it and make it their own, when the corner - stone is laid and memorial tablets are erected", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edgar Lee Masters" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize-it-and-make-it-their-own/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Work" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize-it-and-make-it-their-own/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a43/edgar-lee-masters-14862_work_those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize_1549789.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a43/edgar-lee-masters-14862_work_those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize_1549789.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a43/edgar-lee-masters-14862_work_those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize_1549789.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Those who first oppose a good work, seize it and make it their own, when the corner - stone is laid and…” — Edgar Lee Masters", "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": "Edgar Lee Masters", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-lee-masters/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Those who first oppose a good...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize-it-and-make-it-their-own/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-lee-masters/those-who-first-oppose-a-good-work-seize-it-and-make-it-their-own/#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 } } ] } ```