Compensation

Name: Compensation
Author: Ralph Waldo Emerson

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

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American Literature Essays, Letters & Speeches Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

An essay argues that a universal law of balance governs nature and human affairs, returning consequences for excess and defect. It catalogs instances of polarity—dark and light, heat and cold, biological trade-offs and mechanical losses—to show that gains carry offsetting losses. Applied to morals and society, the principle accounts for why wealth, power, talent, or pleasure bring countervailing penalties or duties and why apparent injustices tend to be equalized over time. The author rejects doctrines that defer justice beyond life, insisting moral equilibrium operates now through character and will. The overall message urges moderation and warns that nature resists monopolies by imposing costs on every advantage.

About the Author

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet, widely recognized as a central figure in the transcendentalist movement. His works emphasize individualism, self-reliance, and the inherent goodness of people and nature. Emerson's influential essays, including "Self-Reliance" and "Nature," explore the relationship between humanity and the natural world, advocating for personal intuition over societal conformity. He also contributed significantly to American literature through his lectures and biographical sketches, which reflect his philosophical insights and social concerns. Emerson's legacy continues to inspire readers and thinkers, making him a pivotal figure in American literary heritage.