Commodity Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Prayer that craves a particular commodity, anything less than all good, is vicious.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Self-Reliance, 1841
Desiring only some goods while rejecting the ideal of all good is morally corrupt.
In simple terms: Partial desire is vicious.
Key Takeaway
Seek the good wholly.
Themes
ethics
desire
morality
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal goals
- consumer choices
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
self‑reliance
integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “all good” mean to you?
- Can you accept incomplete goods without moral conflict?
A Different Perspective
Partial fulfillment can breed discontent and ethical compromise.
