---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Beside all the small reasons we assign…"
description: "\"Beside all the small reasons we assign, there is a great reason for the existence of every extant fact; a reason which lies grandand immovable, often u..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81b/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_behinds_beside-all-the-small-reasons-we-assign-t_580607.png"
---

#  Beside all the small reasons we assign, there is a great…

![“Beside all the small reasons we assign, there is a great reason for the existence of every extant fact; a reason which lies grandand immovable, often unsuspected behind it in silence.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81b/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_behinds_beside-all-the-small-reasons-we-assign-t_580607.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81b/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_behinds_beside-all-the-small-reasons-we-assign-t_580607.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81b/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_behinds_beside-all-the-small-reasons-we-assign-t_580607.png)

> “Beside all the small reasons we assign, there is a great reason for the existence of every extant fact; a reason which lies grandand immovable, often unsuspected behind it in silence.”

[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.

The ultimate cause of all facts is a profound, often hidden purpose that underlies existence.

**In simple terms:** A deep, silent purpose drives everything.

Key Takeaway

Seek the hidden purpose behind events.

Themes

purpose existence philosophy

Mood

contemplative inquisitive

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

- personal reflection
- scientific research
- creative writing
- spiritual practice

Key Concepts

metaphysics ontology causality

Questions to Reflect On

- What deeper purpose might this fact serve?
- How can you uncover hidden meanings?

A Different Perspective

The hidden purpose may be unknowable or ambiguous.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Behinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Existence Extant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence-extant-4773517/) [Fact Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fact-reason-675830/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Great Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-reason-1203566/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Reason Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason-existence-1154443/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/)

## Related quotes

> [It is easy to see, though it scarcely needs to be pointed out, since it is involved in the fact that Reason is set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/it-is-easy-to-see-though-it-scarcely-needs-to-be-pointed-out-since-it/)

[Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/)

> [The truth isn't a thing of fact or reason. It is simply what everyone agrees on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/the-truth-isn-t-a-thing-of-fact-or-reason-it-is-simply-what-everyone/)

[Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/)

> [“Is a reason for existence necessary?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-l-evans/is-a-reason-for-existence-necessary/)

[John L. Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-l-evans/)

> [“...although the reason for the existence of women is obvious enough, nobody has any real idea what point there is in being a man.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jones/although-the-reason-for-the-existence-of-women-is-obvious-enough/)

[Steve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jones/)

> [To be able to bear provocation is an argument of great reason, and to forgive it of a great mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/to-be-able-to-bear-provocation-is-an-argument-of-great-reason-and-to/)

[John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/)

> [A reason to love and a reason to hate, a reason to know a reason to create, a reason to live the mighty life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/a-reason-to-love-and-a-reason-to-hate-a-reason-to-know-a-reason-to/)

[Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/)

> [What makes the United States great, the reason people wanted to live in the United States, move here still, is because of our ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nye/what-makes-the-united-states-great-the-reason-people-wanted-to-live/)

[Bill Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nye/)

> [I know that I am a part of something so tremendous, so great, that, if for this reason only, it is holy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-leshan/i-know-that-i-am-a-part-of-something-so-tremendous-so-great-that-if/)

[Lawrence LeShan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-leshan/)

> [“Women are the reason of the existence of men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nkosiyazi-shange/women-are-the-reason-of-the-existence-of-men/)

[Nkosiyazi Shange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nkosiyazi-shange/)

> [“Purpose is the ultimate reason for your existence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-s-mashego/purpose-is-the-ultimate-reason-for-your-existence/)

[D.S. Mashego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-s-mashego/)

> [While you are alive, you need a reason for your existence. Being unable to find one is like the same as being dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/while-you-are-alive-you-need-a-reason-for-your-existence-being-unable/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [To miss out on joy is to miss out on the reason for your existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/to-miss-out-on-joy-is-to-miss-out-on-the-reason-for-your-existence/)

[Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/)

> [“He was her reason for existence, She was his ultimate risk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/findinglostsouls/he-was-her-reason-for-existence-she-was-his-ultimate-risk/)

[Findinglostsouls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/findinglostsouls/)

> [Despite the amount of suffering, pain, misery, sorrow and travail which can exist in life, the reason for existence is the same reason as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/despite-the-amount-of-suffering-pain-misery-sorrow-and-travail-which/)

[L. Ron Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-ron-hubbard/)

> [Curiosity has its own reason for existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/curiosity-has-its-own-reason-for-existence/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

## 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 Behinds quotes

> [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/)

[Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/)

> [God hides Himself behind causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rollin/god-hides-himself-behind-causes/)

[Charles Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rollin/)

> [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Behind every word flows energy. If you use your words to gossip or babble about what you are going to do before you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-choquette/behind-every-word-flows-energy-if-you-use-your-words-to-gossip-or/)

[Sonia Choquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-choquette/)

> [With the realization of God comes all power. If the little wave knew that behind it is the great ocean, it could say, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/with-the-realization-of-god-comes-all-power-if-the-little-wave-knew/)

[Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/)

> [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/)

[Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/)

> [And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/and-the-seasons-they-go-round-and-round-and-the-painted-ponies-go-up/)

[Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/)

> [It is worthwhile for anyone to have behind him a few generations of honest, hard-working ancestry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-worthwhile-for-anyone-to-have-behind-him-a-few-generations-of/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm really thankful to God, man. Like now, I'm really making a real comeback with my group. With or without a record, with or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ike-turner/i-m-really-thankful-to-god-man-like-now-i-m-really-making-a-real/)

[Ike Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ike-turner/)

> [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/)

[Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/)

> [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/)

[Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/)

> [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/)

[N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/)

[Browse all 6,789 Behinds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Beside all the small reasons we assign, there is a great reason for the existence of every extant fact; a reason which lies grandand immovable, often unsuspected behind it in silence.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/beside-all-the-small-reasons-we-assign-there-is-a-great-reason-for/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Behinds"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/beside-all-the-small-reasons-we-assign-there-is-a-great-reason-for/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81b/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_behinds_beside-all-the-small-reasons-we-assign-t_580607.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81b/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_behinds_beside-all-the-small-reasons-we-assign-t_580607.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81b/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_behinds_beside-all-the-small-reasons-we-assign-t_580607.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Beside all the small reasons we assign, there is a great reason for the existence of every extant fact; a…” — Ralph Waldo Emerson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Beside all the small reasons we...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/beside-all-the-small-reasons-we-assign-there-is-a-great-reason-for/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/beside-all-the-small-reasons-we-assign-there-is-a-great-reason-for/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
