Associates Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“A man should not go where he cannot carry his whole sphere or society with him,Mnot bodily, the whole circle of his friends, but atmospherically. He should preserve in a new company the same attitude of mind and reality of relation, which his daily associates draw him to, else he is shorn of his best beams, and will be an orphan in the merriest club.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Self‑Reliance”, 1841
One should not join a group where they cannot bring their full self and relationships, lest they lose their best qualities and feel isolated.
In simple terms: Don’t join where you can’t bring your whole self.
Key Takeaway
Seek environments that honor your whole identity.
Themes
authenticity
relationships
belonging
integrity
Mood
reflective
philosophical
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- new workplace
- social clubs
- creative collaborations
Key Concepts
social philosophy
personal integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- What environments allow you to be fully yourself?
- How do you maintain your core values in new groups?
A Different Perspective
Finding such inclusive spaces may be difficult.
![“The young man [Turgot] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his studies, his reading, his professors, his associates, all were combined to keep from him any results of observation or reflection save those…” quote by Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d4/andrew-dickson-white-24254_associates_the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecc_3146.jpg)
