Air Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“If you meet a sectary, or a hostile partisan, never recognize the dividing lines; but meet on what common ground remains,--if onlythat the sun shines, and the rain rains for both; the area will widen very fast, and ere you know it the boundary mountains, on which the eye had fastened, have melted into air.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "Self‑Reliance" (or similar), 1841
Finding common humanity dissolves divisions, allowing boundaries to fade and unity to grow.
In simple terms: Shared humanity erases divisions.
Key Takeaway
Focus on shared values to bridge gaps.
Themes
philosophy
humanity
conflict resolution
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- community building
- interfaith dialogue
- political negotiation
- teamwork
Key Concepts
common ground
empathy
unity
Questions to Reflect On
- What shared values can you highlight in a conflict?
- How do you respect differences while seeking unity?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on commonality may ignore legitimate differences.
![“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)