Circles Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
““That second man has his own way of looking at things; asks himself which debt must I pay first, the debt to the rich, or the debt to the poor? the debt of money, or the debt of thought to mankind, of genius to nature? For you, O broker! there is no other principle but arithmetic. For me, commerce is of trivial import; love, faith, truth of character, the aspiration of man, these are sacred; nor can I detach one duty, like you, from all other duties, and concentrate my forces mechanically on the payment of moneys. Let me live onward; you shall find that, though slower, the progress of my character will liquidate all these debts without injustice to higher claims. If a man should dedicate himself to the payment of notes, would not this be injustice? Does he owe no debt but money? And are all claims on him to be postponed to a landlord's or a banker's?””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Self‑Reliance”, 1841
True duty lies in personal growth and moral integrity, not merely financial obligations; character development outweighs material debt.
In simple terms: Character beats money in importance.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate virtues over wealth.
Themes
ethics
character
materialism
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- financial planning
- volunteering
- education
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
humanism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance moral duties with financial ones?
- What debts of character can you repay?
A Different Perspective
May underestimate practical financial needs.
![“Tell them you came, and saw, and looked into my eyes and saw the shadow of the guard receding. Thoughts in time and out of season, the hitchinker stood by the side of the road and levelled his thumb in the calm calculus of reason. [...] Why does my mind circle around you? Why do planets wonder…” quote by Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ae/jim-morrison-1692_bird_tell-them-you-came-and-saw-and-looked-in_18280.jpg)