--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Commonsense is the wick of the candle." description: "\"Commonsense is the wick of the candle.\" — Ralph Waldo Emerson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_candle_commonsense-is-the-wick-of-the-candle-29_2975839.png" --- # Commonsense is the wick of the candle. ![“Commonsense is the wick of the candle.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_candle_commonsense-is-the-wick-of-the-candle-29_2975839.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_candle_commonsense-is-the-wick-of-the-candle-29_2975839.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_candle_commonsense-is-the-wick-of-the-candle-29_2975839.png) > “Commonsense is the wick of the candle.” [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. Common sense is the essential fuel that sustains rational thought and action. **In simple terms:** Common sense fuels rational action. Key Takeaway Cultivate practical wisdom. Themes common sense reason fuel wisdom thought Mood pragmatic thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily decision making - education - leadership - problem solving Key Concepts philosophy pragmatism Questions to Reflect On - When have you relied on common sense over theory? - How do you balance intuition and analysis? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) [Commonsense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commonsense/) [Commonsense Wick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commonsense-wick-4605231/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Wick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wick/) [Wick Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wick-candle-1089775/) ## Related quotes > [“When the candle is burning, who looks at the wick? When the candle is out, who needs it? But the world without light is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/when-the-candle-is-burning-who-looks-at-the-wick-when-the-candle-is/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [“Like a pair of old slippers, I feel comfort and warmth as I slip into you. No, that is too crude. Like the match…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/like-a-pair-of-old-slippers-i-feel-comfort-and-warmth-as-i-slip-into/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [No matter how small the light of your candle has become, it can still burn someone's wick if shared in no time...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonora-r-aquino/no-matter-how-small-the-light-of-your-candle-has-become-it-can-still/) [Leonora R Aquino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonora-r-aquino/) > [The best match in the world will not light a candle unless the wick be first suitably prepared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-blackwood/the-best-match-in-the-world-will-not-light-a-candle-unless-the-wick/) [Algernon Blackwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-blackwood/) > [May the fire at the wick of the candle at the festival of lights warm up the world to relieve the coldness brought by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/may-the-fire-at-the-wick-of-the-candle-at-the-festival-of-lights-warm/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [She lights a match in the dark hall and moves it onto the wick of the candle. Light lifts itself onto her shoulders. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/she-lights-a-match-in-the-dark-hall-and-moves-it-onto-the-wick-of-the/) [Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/) > [Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/curiosity-is-the-wick-in-the-candle-of-learning/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [There is no such thing as an artist: there is only the world lit or unlit as the light allows. When the candle is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/there-is-no-such-thing-as-an-artist-there-is-only-the-world-lit-or/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [It's called 'John Wick' - it's really about this guy's very simple journey. We just didn't want to clutter it. It's gratifying it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/it-s-called-john-wick-it-s-really-about-this-guy-s-very-simple/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [“wick to be certain it was entirely extinguished. “Energy like your energy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/wick-to-be-certain-it-was-entirely-extinguished-energy-like-your/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“We had two tins of Virol, which we were keeping for an emergency; but, finding ourselves in need of an oil-lamp to eke out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-shackleton/we-had-two-tins-of-virol-which-we-were-keeping-for-an-emergency-but/) [Ernest Shackleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-shackleton/) > [“Higher LOVE has a mirror image...have you looked into it lately? When the wick of your soul is lit by love, it can magnify…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-bond/higher-love-has-a-mirror-image-have-you-looked-into-it-lately-when/) [Tracey Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-bond/) > [“Early on, I had thought Wick was reaching for a body across the bed. But, for a long time, he had been reaching for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-vandermeer/early-on-i-had-thought-wick-was-reaching-for-a-body-across-the-bed/) [Jeff VanderMeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-vandermeer/) > [“On this material plane, each living being is like a street lantern lamp with a dirty lampshade. The inside flame burns evenly and is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/on-this-material-plane-each-living-being-is-like-a-street-lantern/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“Please, Wick. Don’t shut me out. Don’t send me away. I want you for my own.” Tears in her eyes, she pressed her palm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coreene-callahan/please-wick-don-t-shut-me-out-don-t-send-me-away-i-want-you-for-my/) [Coreene Callahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coreene-callahan/) ## 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 Candle quotes > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [I still get nervous about singing. I drink tea with honey and lemon before every concert. And I need to have scented candles in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/i-still-get-nervous-about-singing-i-drink-tea-with-honey-and-lemon/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [On Hanukkah, the first dark night, Light yourself a candle bright. I'll you, if you will me invite To dance within that gentle light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-gordon/on-hanukkah-the-first-dark-night-light-yourself-a-candle-bright-i-ll/) [Nick Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-gordon/) > [I try to be the clown and court jester and make people laugh. At the same time, you have people in the hospital who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-simmons/i-try-to-be-the-clown-and-court-jester-and-make-people-laugh-at-the/) [Richard Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-simmons/) > [Only by the candle, held in the skeleton hand of Poverty, can man read his own dark heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/only-by-the-candle-held-in-the-skeleton-hand-of-poverty-can-man-read/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Traveling is all very well if you can get home at night. I would be willing to go around the world if I came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-taber/traveling-is-all-very-well-if-you-can-get-home-at-night-i-would-be/) [Gladys Taber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-taber/) > [Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God, first fill your own house with the fragrance of love. Go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/go-not-to-the-temple-to-put-flowers-upon-the-feet-of-god-first-fill/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“Two ways to be a light for all, is to be a flaming candle or the mirror that reflects it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/two-ways-to-be-a-light-for-all-is-to-be-a-flaming-candle-or-the/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [“Some will see your flame and want to blow it out...others will approach with a candle...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenita-vangellis/some-will-see-your-flame-and-want-to-blow-it-out-others-will-approach/) [Lenita Vangellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenita-vangellis/) > [So here I sit in the early candle-light of old age-I and my book-casting backward glances over out travel'd road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/so-here-i-sit-in-the-early-candle-light-of-old-age-i-and-my-book/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [I was eating beans by candle light for a decade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-andre/i-was-eating-beans-by-candle-light-for-a-decade/) [Eric Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-andre/) > [The stars begin to fade like guttering candles and are snuffed out one by one. Out in the depths of space the great celestial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-robert-harrison/the-stars-begin-to-fade-like-guttering-candles-and-are-snuffed-out/) [Edward Robert Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-robert-harrison/) [Browse all 1,033 Candle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Commonsense is the wick of the candle.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/commonsense-is-the-wick-of-the-candle/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Candle" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/commonsense-is-the-wick-of-the-candle/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_candle_commonsense-is-the-wick-of-the-candle-29_2975839.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_candle_commonsense-is-the-wick-of-the-candle-29_2975839.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_candle_commonsense-is-the-wick-of-the-candle-29_2975839.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Commonsense is the wick of the candle.” — 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": "Commonsense is the wick of the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/commonsense-is-the-wick-of-the-candle/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/commonsense-is-the-wick-of-the-candle/#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 } } ] } ```