Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Men have looked away from themselves and at things so long that they have come to esteem the religious, learned and civil institutions as guards of property, and they deprecate assaults on these, because they feel them to be assaults on property. They measure their esteem of each other by what each has, and not by what each is.
Summary
This quote highlights the tendency of individuals to prioritize material possessions and external achievements over personal qualities and inner worth. It suggests that men have become so focused on material wealth, religious institutions, education, and societal systems that they value these institutions more than the individuals themselves. The quote implies that people judge and evaluate each other based on their possessions and societal status rather than their inherent character or qualities. It critiques such superficial evaluation and advocates for a shift towards recognizing and valuing individuals for who they are rather than what they have.
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