--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For you, o broker, there is no other…" description: "\"For you, o broker, there is no other principle but arithmetic. For me, commerce is of trivial import; love, faith, truth of character, the aspiration o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_arithmetic_for-you-o-broker-there-is-no-other-princ_2886280.jpg" --- # For you, o broker, there is no other principle but… ![“For you, o broker, there is no other principle but arithmetic. For me, commerce is of trivial import; love, faith, truth of character, the aspiration of man, these are sacred; nor can I detach one duty, like you, from all other duties, and concentrate my forces mechanically on the payment of moneys.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_arithmetic_for-you-o-broker-there-is-no-other-princ_2886280.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_arithmetic_for-you-o-broker-there-is-no-other-princ_2886280.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_arithmetic_for-you-o-broker-there-is-no-other-princ_2886280.jpg) > “For you, o broker, there is no other principle but arithmetic. For me, commerce is of trivial import; love, faith, truth of character, the aspiration of man, these are sacred; nor can I detach one duty, like you, from all other duties, and concentrate my forces mechanically on the payment of moneys.” [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. Emerson contrasts a mercantile mindset focused solely on calculation with a broader moral vision that values love, faith, truth, and human aspiration. **In simple terms:** Money alone isn’t enough; deeper values matter. Key Takeaway Prioritize integrity over profit. Themes integrity values humanity economics morality Mood reflective inspirational critical Type philosophical ethical motivational When to use this quote - business leadership - personal decision making - education - public policy - community building Key Concepts ethical philosophy humanism economic critique Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance moral ideals with economic realities? - What duties can you honor without compromising profit? A Different Perspective Neglecting practical financial concerns can jeopardize sustainability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arithmetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arithmetic/) [Arithmetic Commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arithmetic-commerce-4028028/) [Aspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspiration/) [Broker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broker/) [Broker Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broker-principle-4028027/) [Brokers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brokers/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commerce/) [Commerce Trivial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commerce-trivial-3863344/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [E commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/e-commerce/) [Faith in love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith-in-love/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Imports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imports/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Like you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-you/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Payment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/payment/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Sacred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacred/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Commerce is of trivial import; love, faith, truth of character, the aspiration of man, these are sacred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/commerce-is-of-trivial-import-love-faith-truth-of-character-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“That second man has his own way of looking at things; asks himself which debt must I pay first, the debt to the rich,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/that-second-man-has-his-own-way-of-looking-at-things-asks-himself/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [For me, commerce is of trivial import; love, faith, truth of character, the aspiration of man, these are sacred; nor can I detach one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/for-me-commerce-is-of-trivial-import-love-faith-truth-of-character/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot be a good doctor and keep telephoning his broker between patients nor a good lawyer with his eye on the ticker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-man-cannot-be-a-good-doctor-and-keep-telephoning-his-broker-between/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/why-is-the-man-who-invests-all-your-money-called-a-broker/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [I had probably seven agents by the time I became a legitimate real estate broker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/i-had-probably-seven-agents-by-the-time-i-became-a-legitimate-real/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [I just made a killing in the stock market -- I shot my broker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henny-youngman/i-just-made-a-killing-in-the-stock-market-i-shot-my-broker/) [Henny Youngman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henny-youngman/) > [One of the really positive things about minority government is that there is the necessity to broker policy positions. What happens is you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-wynne/one-of-the-really-positive-things-about-minority-government-is-that/) [Kathleen Wynne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-wynne/) > [The reason so many financial advisors are called brokers is because they are often broker than you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/the-reason-so-many-financial-advisors-are-called-brokers-is-because/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [Ron Reagan amazingly qualifies as an honest broker. I asked him if he was a mamas boy and he said no, more of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-jarecki/ron-reagan-amazingly-qualifies-as-an-honest-broker-i-asked-him-if-he-2/) [Eugene Jarecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-jarecki/) > [I dont want to just be a broker all my life, I want to lead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-d-ortiz/i-dont-want-to-just-be-a-broker-all-my-life-i-want-to-lead/) [Luis D. Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-d-ortiz/) > [What brands can do brilliantly is broker change in people's lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-grant/what-brands-can-do-brilliantly-is-broker-change-in-people-s-lives/) [John Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-grant/) > [A broker is a man who runs your fortune into a shoestring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-woollcott/a-broker-is-a-man-who-runs-your-fortune-into-a-shoestring/) [Alexander Woollcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-woollcott/) > [If your broker or investment advisor is not familiar with the concept of standard deviation of returns, get a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-bernstein/if-your-broker-or-investment-advisor-is-not-familiar-with-the-concept/) [William J. Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-bernstein/) > [What boy well raised can compare with your street gamin who has the knowledge and the shrewdness of a grown-up broker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/what-boy-well-raised-can-compare-with-your-street-gamin-who-has-the/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) ## 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 Arithmetic quotes > [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [Arithmetic is numbers you squeeze from your head to your hand to your pencil to your paper till you get the answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/arithmetic-is-numbers-you-squeeze-from-your-head-to-your-hand-to-your/) [Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/) > [I am pretty good at arithmetic, and I know that the fight in front of us is a very, very steep fight. But we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-merkley/i-am-pretty-good-at-arithmetic-and-i-know-that-the-fight-in-front-of/) [Jeff Merkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-merkley/) > [Arithmetic has began to totter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gottlob-frege/arithmetic-has-began-to-totter/) [Gottlob Frege](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottlob-frege/) > [Economics is half psychology and half Grade Three arithmetic, and the U.S. does not now have either half right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-black/economics-is-half-psychology-and-half-grade-three-arithmetic-and-the/) [Conrad Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-black/) > [The cumulative weight of all mortal sins--past, present, and future--pressed upon that perfect, sinless, and sensitive Soul! All our infirmities and sicknesses were somehow,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-cumulative-weight-of-all-mortal-sins-past-present-and-future/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Geometry, like arithmetic, requires for its logical development only a small number of simple, fundamental principles. These fundamental principles are called the axioms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hilbert/geometry-like-arithmetic-requires-for-its-logical-development-only-a/) [David Hilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hilbert/) > [When I was at school, I was terrible at algebra and arithmetic, but I was always the best at English and literature. And acting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-collins/when-i-was-at-school-i-was-terrible-at-algebra-and-arithmetic-but-i/) [Joan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-collins/) > [“A goal of this book has been to tear down in some small part these barriers to understanding by attempting to shatter the “divinity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-arnell-williams/a-goal-of-this-book-has-been-to-tear-down-in-some-small-part-these/) [G. Arnell Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-arnell-williams/) > [Man is a rational animal—so at least I have been told. … Aristotle, so far as I know, was the first man to proclaim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/man-is-a-rational-animal-so-at-least-i-have-been-told-aristotle-so/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The mortal enemies of Social Security and Medicare are those who, in contempt of the plain arithmetic, continue to mislead Americans that we should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-daniels/the-mortal-enemies-of-social-security-and-medicare-are-those-who-in/) [Mitch Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-daniels/) > [Arithmetic arithmetock Turn the hands back on the clock How does the ocean rock the boat? How did the razor find my throat? The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-waits/arithmetic-arithmetock-turn-the-hands-back-on-the-clock-how-does-the/) [Tom Waits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-waits/) > [Long before I learned to do a sum in arithmetic or describe the shape of the earth, Miss Sullivan had taught me to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/long-before-i-learned-to-do-a-sum-in-arithmetic-or-describe-the-shape/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Arithmetic starts with the integers and proceeds by successively enlarging the number system by rational and negative numbers, irrational numbers, etc... But the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-robinson/arithmetic-starts-with-the-integers-and-proceeds-by-successively/) [Abraham Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-robinson/) > [The loony legacy of money was that the arithmetic by which things were measured had become more valuable than the things themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-loony-legacy-of-money-was-that-the-arithmetic-by-which-things/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) [Browse all 233 Arithmetic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arithmetic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For you, o broker, there is no other principle but arithmetic. 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