Absolutes Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The intellect searches out the Absolute order of things as they stand in the mind of God, and without the colors of affection. The intellectual and the active powers seem to succeed each other, and the exclusive activity of the one generates the exclusive activity of the other. There is something unfriendly in each to the other, but they are like the alternate periods of feeding and working in animals; each prepares and will be followed by the other.”
About This Quote
The mind seeks an objective, immutable order beyond personal feelings, with thought and action alternating like cycles of nourishment and work.
In simple terms: Objective order versus personal bias.
Key Takeaway
Thought and action are interdependent cycles.
Themes
philosophy
metaphysics
human nature
cognition
ethics
Mood
contemplative
analytical
inquisitive
Type
aphilosophical
metaphysical
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic research
- creative problem solving
- spiritual contemplation
- strategic planning
Key Concepts
absolute order
mind of God
intellectual activity
active power
Practical Applications
- Developing frameworks that separate analysis from emotion
- Designing workflows that alternate deep thinking with execution
Questions to Reflect On
- How does separating feeling from analysis affect decision quality?
- What are the risks of viewing thought and action as strictly alternating?
![“Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec3/vladimir-putin-261_absolutes_their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolu_10791.jpg)
