--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man is a little thing whilst he works…" description: "\"A man is a little thing whilst he works by and for himself, but, when he gives voice to the rules of love and justice, is godlike, his word is current ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_friendship_a-man-is-a-little-thing-whilst-he-works_1345978.jpg" --- # A man is a little thing whilst he works by and for… ![“A man is a little thing whilst he works by and for himself, but, when he gives voice to the rules of love and justice, is godlike, his word is current in all countries; and all men, though his enemies, are made his friends and obey it as their own.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_friendship_a-man-is-a-little-thing-whilst-he-works_1345978.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_friendship_a-man-is-a-little-thing-whilst-he-works_1345978.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_friendship_a-man-is-a-little-thing-whilst-he-works_1345978.jpg) > “A man is a little thing whilst he works by and for himself, but, when he gives voice to the rules of love and justice, is godlike, his word is current in all countries; and all men, though his enemies, are made his friends and obey it as their own.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When a person speaks love and justice, they become a moral authority whose influence transcends borders, turning even foes into allies. **In simple terms:** Speaking love and justice makes one a moral leader. Key Takeaway Speak love and justice to inspire universal respect. Themes justice leadership morality influence Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - political speeches - community building - conflict resolution - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts Ethics social contract authority Questions to Reflect On - How can you embody love and justice in daily actions? - What obstacles might you face when influencing others? A Different Perspective Power can be limited by cultural differences and entrenched interests. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Godlike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/godlike/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Little things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-things/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [True love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-love/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) ## Related quotes > [A man is a little thing while he works by and for himself; but when he gives voice to the rules of love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-is-a-little-thing-while-he-works-by-and-for-himself-but-when-he/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“We return to face our superiors, our kindred, our friends--- those whom we obey, and those whom we love; but even they who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/we-return-to-face-our-superiors-our-kindred-our-friends-those-whom-we/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [And truly it demands something godlike in him who cast off the common motives of humanity and ventured to trust himself for a taskmaster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/and-truly-it-demands-something-godlike-in-him-who-cast-off-the-common/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of our science, and such is the mechanical determination of our age, and so recent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/men-love-to-wonder-and-that-is-the-seed-of-our-science-and-such-is/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Good men must not obey the laws too well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/good-men-must-not-obey-the-laws-too-well/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [We can only obey our own polarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/we-can-only-obey-our-own-polarity/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The whole course of things goes to teach us faith. We need only obey. There is guidance for each of us, and by lowly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-whole-course-of-things-goes-to-teach-us-faith-we-need-only-obey/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am not engaged to Christianity by decent forms, or saving ordinances; it is not usage, it is not what I do not understand,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-not-engaged-to-christianity-by-decent-forms-or-saving-ordinances/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The reason why men do not obey us, is because they see the mud at the bottom of our eye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-reason-why-men-do-not-obey-us-is-because-they-see-the-mud-at-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [By God, I will not obey this filthy enactment!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/by-god-i-will-not-obey-this-filthy-enactment/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Give all to love; Obey thy heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/give-all-to-love-obey-thy-heart/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [All reform aims, in some one particular, to let the soul have its way through us; in other words, to engage us to obey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/all-reform-aims-in-some-one-particular-to-let-the-soul-have-its-way/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The way to be a man if you're a little boy is to be willing to throw your weight around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-ireland/the-way-to-be-a-man-if-you-re-a-little-boy-is-to-be-willing-to-throw/) [Patricia Ireland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-ireland/) > [Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is to little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-is-enough-for-the-man-to-whom-enough-is-to-little/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A man who has little personality has but little influence for good or otherwise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-t-croonborg/a-man-who-has-little-personality-has-but-little-influence-for-good-or/) Frederick T. Croonborg ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More Friendship quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. 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I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I gave my archive to Emory University because there's a really dear friend who teaches there, Rudolph Byrd, and he's the editor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-gave-my-archive-to-emory-university-because-there-s-a-really-dear/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Friends are like stars you can't always see them, but you know they're there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknwon/friends-are-like-stars-you-can-t-always-see-them-but-you-know-they-re/) Unknwon > [I've been writing songs since I was 10 years old and always had a penchant for rhyming. I started listening to hip hop through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoodie-allen/i-ve-been-writing-songs-since-i-was-10-years-old-and-always-had-a/) [Hoodie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoodie-allen/) > [If you love some one for who they are not for there body or how many friend so when you say I love you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknow/if-you-love-some-one-for-who-they-are-not-for-there-body-or-how-many/) Unknow > [“But my best friend from college was silent for a long time. She, of all of my friends, had seen the parade of sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-groff/but-my-best-friend-from-college-was-silent-for-a-long-time-she-of-all/) [Lauren Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-groff/) > [You smile upon your friend to-day, To-day his ills are over; You hearken to the lover's say, And happy is the lover. 'Tis late…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-smile-upon-your-friend-to-day-to-day-his-ills-are-over-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“way. A true friend isn't the one that agrees with everything you say or do. 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