Chains Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“All successful men have agreed in one thing -- they were causationists. They believed that things went not by luck, but by law; that there was not a weak or a cracked link in the chain that joins the first and last of things.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Self‑Reliance”, 1841
Success stems from understanding causal laws, not luck; everything follows a chain of cause and effect.
In simple terms: Success is about cause, not chance.
Key Takeaway
Study and apply underlying principles.
Themes
causality
determinism
self‑reliance
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- business planning
- personal development
Key Concepts
philosophy
systems thinking
law of cause and effect
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify true causal factors?
- When might luck still play a role?
A Different Perspective
Complex systems may defy simple causal explanations.
![“The most ingenious men are now agreed, that [universities] are only nurseries of prejudice, corruption, barbarism, and pedantry.” quote by George Berkeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/445/george-berkeley-8287_barbarism_the-most-ingenious-men-are-now-agreed-th_494914.jpg)
