Devil Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Steam was till the other day the devil which we dreaded. Every pot made by any human potter or brazier had a hole in its cover, to let off the enemy, lest he should lift pot and roof and carry the house away.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Nature, 1836
The quote warns that steam, once feared as a destructive force, is now a harmless, controlled technology.
In simple terms: Steam used to be feared, now it's controlled.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how technology can shift from threat to tool.
Themes
technology
progress
human ingenuity
Mood
cautious
optimistic
Type
historical
technological
When to use this quote
- engineering projects
- urban planning
- energy policy
- environmental management
Key Concepts
industrial revolution
risk perception
control
innovation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does society reframe fear into utility?
- What safeguards are needed for new tech?
A Different Perspective
Even controlled steam can cause accidents if misused.
![“[W]e pity our fathers for dying before steam and galvanism, sulphuric ether and ocean telegraphs, photograph and spectrograph arrived, as cheated out of their human estate.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2f6/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_cheated_w-e-pity-our-fathers-for-dying-before-st_2317886.jpg)
