--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The practical common-sense of modern…" description: "\"“The practical common-sense of modern society, the utilitarian direction which labor, laws, opinion, religion, take, is the natural genius of the Briti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_common-sense_the-practical-common-sense-of-modern-soc_932947.png" --- # The practical common-sense of modern society, the… ![“The practical common-sense of modern society, the utilitarian direction which labor, laws, opinion, religion, take, is the natural genius of the British mind.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_common-sense_the-practical-common-sense-of-modern-soc_932947.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_common-sense_the-practical-common-sense-of-modern-soc_932947.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_common-sense_the-practical-common-sense-of-modern-soc_932947.png) > ““The practical common-sense of modern society, the utilitarian direction which labor, laws, opinion, religion, take, is the natural genius of the British mind.”” [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 praises the pragmatic, utilitarian mindset of British society as a natural intellectual strength. **In simple terms:** British pragmatism is seen as a natural genius. Key Takeaway Recognize the value of practical thinking. Themes society pragmatism intellect Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - education reform - policy design - business strategy Key Concepts cultural analysis philosophical outlook Questions to Reflect On - How does utilitarianism shape modern life? - Can practicality coexist with artistic expression? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on utility may neglect creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [British Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british-mind-1534594/) [Common sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-sense/) [Modern society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-society/) [Natural Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-genius-1534593/) [Practical Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practical-common-1534595/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Society Utilitarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society-utilitarian-1534592/) ## Related quotes > [Variety, individuality, peculiarity, eccentricity and indeed crankiness are agreeable to the British mind; they make life more interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/variety-individuality-peculiarity-eccentricity-and-indeed-crankiness/) [Dorothy L. 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Hendrix was one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-lifeson/hendrix-was-a-natural-genius-who-played-many-beautiful-styles-talent/) [Alex Lifeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-lifeson/) > [As we each express our natural genius, we all elevate our world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/as-we-each-express-our-natural-genius-we-all-elevate-our-world/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [It could appear that I'm some kind of natural genius, but it's just a million small lessons I've picked up over the years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rivers-cuomo/it-could-appear-that-i-m-some-kind-of-natural-genius-but-it-s-just-a/) [Rivers Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rivers-cuomo/) > [Charles Darwin made arguably the greatest discovery any human has ever made. He was a man of great persistence. 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J. T. Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-j-t-mitchell/) ## 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. 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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 Common sense quotes > [When you have a cavity in your tooth and you let it get worse, eventually you have to get a root canal. 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