Air Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“A breath of will blows eternally through the universe of souls in the direction of Right and Necessity. It is the air which all intellects inhale and exhale, and it is the wind which blows the worlds into order and orbit.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Self-Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1841
The quote describes an eternal, guiding force of will that directs intellects toward rightness and necessity, ordering the cosmos.
In simple terms: Will is a universal force that orders intellects and the world.
Key Takeaway
Align actions with this guiding will.
Themes
philosophy
order
will
intellect
necessity
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- leadership
- creative projects
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
metaphysics
determinism
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you recognize the influence of this will in daily choices?
- What does “right” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
The concept is abstract and may be hard to apply concretely.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)