---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Life is a search after power; and this is…"
description: "\"Life is a search after power; and this is an element with which the world is so saturated,-there is no chink or crevice in which it is not lodged,-that..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_chinks_life-is-a-search-after-power-and-this-is_2571991.png"
---

#  Life is a search after power; and this is an element with…

![“Life is a search after power; and this is an element with which the world is so saturated,-there is no chink or crevice in which it is not lodged,-that no honest seeking goes unrewarded.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_chinks_life-is-a-search-after-power-and-this-is_2571991.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_chinks_life-is-a-search-after-power-and-this-is_2571991.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_chinks_life-is-a-search-after-power-and-this-is_2571991.png)

> “Life is a search after power; and this is an element with which the world is so saturated,-there is no chink or crevice in which it is not lodged,-that no honest seeking goes unrewarded.”

[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.

Power permeates every aspect of life, and those who earnestly seek truth are ultimately rewarded despite its ubiquity.

**In simple terms:** Power is everywhere; honest seekers are rewarded.

Key Takeaway

Seek truth, not power.

Themes

philosophy ethics human nature

Mood

reflective serious

Type

aphilosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal growth
- spiritual quest
- academic research

Key Concepts

existentialism self‑realization

Questions to Reflect On

- How does power influence moral choices?
- Can true fulfillment exist without power?

A Different Perspective

Power can corrupt even sincere seekers.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Elements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elements/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [I feel the world is over-saturated with products, and it isn't about what you're wearing as much as it is about what message you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-radke/i-feel-the-world-is-over-saturated-with-products-and-it-isn-t-about/)

[Ronnie Radke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-radke/)

> [Life is a search after power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-is-a-search-after-power/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [Every man passes his life in the search after friendship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-man-passes-his-life-in-the-search-after-friendship/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [To fill the hour; that is happiness to fill the hour, and leave no crevice for a repentance or an approval.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/to-fill-the-hour-that-is-happiness-to-fill-the-hour-and-leave-no/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [Nature is saturated with Deity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/nature-is-saturated-with-deity/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [Life is a search for yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delonge/life-is-a-search-for-yourself/)

[Tom DeLonge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delonge/)

> [“Whole life is a search for the splendor of love, companionship, and beauty. When I found you, my search ended, and we began a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/whole-life-is-a-search-for-the-splendor-of-love-companionship-and/)

[Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/)

> [Take a second out to think about this : In your life you search and search for the right person for you. Everytime you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-philpot/take-a-second-out-to-think-about-this-in-your-life-you-search-and-2/)

Ian Philpot

> [I suppose the story of my life is a search for love, but more than that, I have been looking for a way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlon-brando/i-suppose-the-story-of-my-life-is-a-search-for-love-but-more-than/)

[Marlon Brando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlon-brando/)

> [There is a life in you, search that life, search the secret jewel in the mountain of your body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/there-is-a-life-in-you-search-that-life-search-the-secret-jewel-in/)

[Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/)

> [Life is a search of the lost identities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-elba/life-is-a-search-of-the-lost-identities/)

[Charles Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-elba/)

> [ALL my life I search for a prince I walk threw allies and I walk on ice and as I lay my head my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cherrykee/all-my-life-i-search-for-a-prince-i-walk-threw-allies-and-i-walk-on/)

Cherrykee

> [At a time when experimentation expresses itself in all forms of life, search becomes the only valid expression of the spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-tobey/at-a-time-when-experimentation-expresses-itself-in-all-forms-of-life/)

[Mark Tobey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-tobey/)

> [Take a second out to think about this: in your life you search and search for the right person for you. Every time you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/take-a-second-out-to-think-about-this-in-your-life-you-search-and/)

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

> [“I guess it goes to show that you just never know where life will take you. You search for answers. You wonder what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-thomas/i-guess-it-goes-to-show-that-you-just-never-know-where-life-will-take/)

Amy Thomas

## 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 Chinks quotes

> [Nothing is so engaging as the little domestic cares into which you appear to be entering, and as to reading it is useful for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-is-so-engaging-as-the-little-domestic-cares-into-which-you/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [Every family has chinks in their armour. I don't know of any family that is perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-shah/every-family-has-chinks-in-their-armour-i-don-t-know-of-any-family/)

[Shefali Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-shah/)

> [Democracy is the fig leaf of elitism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/democracy-is-the-fig-leaf-of-elitism/)

[Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/)

> [Our errors and failings are chinks in the heart's armor through which our true colors can shine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/our-errors-and-failings-are-chinks-in-the-heart-s-armor-through-which/)

[Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/)

> [They smell of all the baths they didnt take. The trouble with China is, there are too many chinks here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/they-smell-of-all-the-baths-they-didnt-take-the-trouble-with-china-is/)

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

> [Come on now! You kick out the gooks, the next thing you know, you have to kick out the chinks, the spicks, the spooks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/come-on-now-you-kick-out-the-gooks-the-next-thing-you-know-you-have/)

[Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/)

> [“From the very first time she'd been able to find the chinks in his armor”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/from-the-very-first-time-she-d-been-able-to-find-the-chinks-in-his/)

[Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/)

> [If any Englishman said he has never called a Chinaman a chink he is lying. There is nothing bad about doing that. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-whelan/if-any-englishman-said-he-has-never-called-a-chinaman-a-chink-he-is/)

Dave Whelan

> [If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/if-the-doors-of-perception-were-cleansed-everything-would-appear-to/)

[William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/)

> [The passion for revenge should never blind you to the pragmatics of the situation. There are some people who are so blighted by their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/the-passion-for-revenge-should-never-blind-you-to-the-pragmatics-of/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [The gothic is singular in this; one seems easily at home in the renaissance; one is not too strange in the Byzantine; as for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/the-gothic-is-singular-in-this-one-seems-easily-at-home-in-the/)

[Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/)

> [If I should be fated to walk no more with Nature, be compelled to leave all I most devoutly love in the wilderness, return…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/if-i-should-be-fated-to-walk-no-more-with-nature-be-compelled-to/)

[John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/)

> [Visiting my mind is like visiting the Hermes factory. Sh\*t is real. You're not going to find a chink. It's 100,000 per cent Jimi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/visiting-my-mind-is-like-visiting-the-hermes-factory-sh-t-is-real-you/)

[Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/)

> [You have taught us much. Come with us and join the movement." "This movement of yours, does it have slogans?" inquired the Chink. "Right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/you-have-taught-us-much-come-with-us-and-join-the-movement-this/)

[Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/)

> [And it was there that I saw the most appealing creature in the whole shop. He had a slight chink out of one foot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-d-lacey/and-it-was-there-that-i-saw-the-most-appealing-creature-in-the-whole/)

[Chris d'Lacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-d-lacey/)

Browse all 46 Chinks quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Life is a search after power; and this is an element with which the world is so saturated,-there is no chink or crevice in which it is not lodged,-that no honest seeking goes unrewarded.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-is-a-search-after-power-and-this-is-an-element-with-which-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Chinks"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-is-a-search-after-power-and-this-is-an-element-with-which-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_chinks_life-is-a-search-after-power-and-this-is_2571991.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_chinks_life-is-a-search-after-power-and-this-is_2571991.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e23/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_chinks_life-is-a-search-after-power-and-this-is_2571991.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Life is a search after power; and this is an element with which the world is so saturated,-there is no chink…” — 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": "Life is a search after power;...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-is-a-search-after-power-and-this-is-an-element-with-which-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-is-a-search-after-power-and-this-is-an-element-with-which-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
