--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everybody we know surrounds himself with…" description: "\"“Everybody we know surrounds himself with a fine house, fine books, conservatory, gardens, equipage, and all manner of toys, as screens to interpose be..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_19th-century_everybody-we-know-surrounds-himself-with_2943862.png" --- # Everybody we know surrounds himself with a fine house… ![“Everybody we know surrounds himself with a fine house, fine books, conservatory, gardens, equipage, and all manner of toys, as screens to interpose between himself and his guest. Does it not seem as if man was of a very sly, elusive nature, and dreaded nothing so much as a full rencontre front to…” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_19th-century_everybody-we-know-surrounds-himself-with_2943862.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_19th-century_everybody-we-know-surrounds-himself-with_2943862.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_19th-century_everybody-we-know-surrounds-himself-with_2943862.png) > ““Everybody we know surrounds himself with a fine house, fine books, conservatory, gardens, equipage, and all manner of toys, as screens to interpose between himself and his guest. Does it not seem as if man was of a very sly, elusive nature, and dreaded nothing so much as a full rencontre front to front with his fellow?”” [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. People surround themselves with material comforts that act as barriers, preventing genuine connection with others. **In simple terms:** Material things keep us apart from real human contact. Key Takeaway Seek authentic relationships over possessions. Themes society materialism connection Mood reflective critical Type philosophical social When to use this quote - social gatherings - minimalist living - community building Key Concepts alienation authenticity social critique Questions to Reflect On - How do possessions affect your relationships? - Can you foster intimacy without material distractions? A Different Perspective Not all material goods are harmful; context matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Garden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/garden/) [Hospitality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hospitality/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Surrounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surrounds/) [Toys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toys/) ## Related quotes > [A man builds a fine house; and now he has a master, and a task for life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-builds-a-fine-house-and-now-he-has-a-master-and-a-task-for-life-2/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Inspiration is a guest that does not willingly visit the lazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/inspiration-is-a-guest-that-does-not-willingly-visit-the-lazy/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Inspiration is a guest who does not like to visit lazy people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-tchaikowsky/inspiration-is-a-guest-who-does-not-like-to-visit-lazy-people/) Andre Tchaikowsky > [It is equally wrong to speed a guest who does not want to go, and to keep one back who is eager. You ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/it-is-equally-wrong-to-speed-a-guest-who-does-not-want-to-go-and-to/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [What's the use of a fine house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/what-s-the-use-of-a-fine-house-if-you-haven-t-got-a-tolerable-planet/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [If all but myself were blind, I should want neither a fine house nor fine furniture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/if-all-but-myself-were-blind-i-should-want-neither-a-fine-house-nor/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The house is a fine house, when good folks are within.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/the-house-is-a-fine-house-when-good-folks-are-within/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Love surrounds me and protects me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/love-surrounds-me-and-protects-me/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [The Fashion Fund celebrates the real passion that underlies the fashion business, not the frothy world of glamour and celebrity that so often surrounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-wintour/the-fashion-fund-celebrates-the-real-passion-that-underlies-the/) [Anna Wintour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-wintour/) > [I've been obsessed with seeing life through music. 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Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-s-fletcher/) > [Food is one part of the experience. And it has to be somewhere between 50 to 60 percent of the dining experience. But the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-ducasse/food-is-one-part-of-the-experience-and-it-has-to-be-somewhere-between/) [Alain Ducasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-ducasse/) > [I live in the rural area of North Georgia, so for me, those are these best days. It has little to do with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-ray/i-live-in-the-rural-area-of-north-georgia-so-for-me-those-are-these/) [Amy Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-ray/) > [I have amazing love and support that surrounds me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-have-amazing-love-and-support-that-surrounds-me/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) ## 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 19th century quotes > [Though my grandmother had picked up modern ideas in America, she still had some conflicting 19th-century Irish notions. 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The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/washington-was-no-politician-as-we-understand-the-word-replied/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [Then years back, when I moved to California, I happened to see a book about fashions of 19th-century Victorian England, only four pages of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/then-years-back-when-i-moved-to-california-i-happened-to-see-a-book/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Like the railroads that brought us together in the 19th century, these trails will bring us together in the 20th and 21st centuries. (at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/like-the-railroads-that-brought-us-together-in-the-19th-century-these/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [By tracing the careers of the four members of the Philosophical Breakfast Club, Laura Snyder has found a wonderful way not just to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-standage/by-tracing-the-careers-of-the-four-members-of-the-philosophical/) [Tom Standage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-standage/) > [If you look back on the history of the 20th century, the 19th century or even to the ancien régime of the 18th, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/if-you-look-back-on-the-history-of-the-20th-century-the-19th-century/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [If you look at that incredible burst of fantastic characters that emerged in the late 19th century/early 20th century, you can see so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/if-you-look-at-that-incredible-burst-of-fantastic-characters-that/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [ . . . Luddites were those frenzied traditionalists of the early 19th century who toured \[England\] wrecking new weaving machines on the theory that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-michener/luddites-were-those-frenzied-traditionalists-of-the-early-19th/) [James A. 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It's a vision, a rather dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-franklin-jeffrey/there-are-real-issues-that-the-president-donald-trump-and/) [James Franklin Jeffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-franklin-jeffrey/) > [While every historical era has its unique appeal as a setting for tales of crime and detection, the 19th century is exceptional - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-weinman/while-every-historical-era-has-its-unique-appeal-as-a-setting-for/) [Sarah Weinman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-weinman/) > [Adolescence was invented in the 19th century to enable middle-class families to keep their children out of sweatshops. But it has degenerated into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/adolescence-was-invented-in-the-19th-century-to-enable-middle-class/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [An ethic of maternalism was central to the utopianism of 19th century feminists. I don't think that today's women see motherhood as a source…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clare-wright/an-ethic-of-maternalism-was-central-to-the-utopianism-of-19th-century/) Clare Wright Browse all 383 19th century quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Everybody we know surrounds himself with a fine house, fine books, conservatory, gardens, equipage, and all manner of toys, as screens to interpose between himself and his guest. 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