--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So each man, like each plant, has his…" description: "\"So each man, like each plant, has his parasites. A strong, astringent, bilious nature has more truculent enemies than the slugs and moths that fret my ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72b/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bitter_so-each-man-like-each-plant-has-his-para_1925636.png" --- # So each man, like each plant, has his parasites. A strong… ![“So each man, like each plant, has his parasites. A strong, astringent, bilious nature has more truculent enemies than the slugs and moths that fret my leaves. Such a one has curculios, borers, knife-worms; a swindler ate him first, then a client, then a quack, then smooth, plausible gentlemen…” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72b/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bitter_so-each-man-like-each-plant-has-his-para_1925636.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72b/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bitter_so-each-man-like-each-plant-has-his-para_1925636.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72b/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bitter_so-each-man-like-each-plant-has-his-para_1925636.png) > “So each man, like each plant, has his parasites. A strong, astringent, bilious nature has more truculent enemies than the slugs and moths that fret my leaves. Such a one has curculios, borers, knife-worms; a swindler ate him first, then a client, then a quack, then smooth, plausible gentlemen, bitter and selfish as Moloch.” [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. Human nature attracts adversaries; strong traits invite more challengers, like parasites on a plant. **In simple terms:** Strong people attract more enemies. Key Takeaway Stay aware of conflict, protect yourself. Themes conflict strength vulnerability Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - leadership - politics - business - personal relationships Key Concepts philosophy human nature Questions to Reflect On - How do you turn challenges into growth? - What boundaries protect you? A Different Perspective Strength can also inspire allies, not just foes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Parasites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parasites/) [Plant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plant/) [Quacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quacks/) [Swindlers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swindlers/) ## Related quotes > [The thief steals from himself. The swindler swindles himself. For the real price is knowledge and virtue, whereof wealth and credit are signs. These…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-thief-steals-from-himself-the-swindler-swindles-himself-for-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“All other swindlers upon earth are nothing to the self-swindlers, and with such pretences did I cheat myself. Surely a curious thing. 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Surely a curious thing. That I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/all-other-swindlers-upon-earth-are-nothing-to-the-self-swindlers-and-2/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [We must frankly confess, then, using our empirical common sense and ordinary practical prejudices, that in the world that actually is, the virtues of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/we-must-frankly-confess-then-using-our-empirical-common-sense-and/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [There's nothing of any importance in life — except how well you do your work. Nothing. Only that. 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