All who are not lunatics are agreed about certain things…
“All who are not lunatics are agreed about certain things. That it is better to be alive than dead, better to be adequately fed than starved, better to be free than a slave. Many people desire those things only for themselves and their friends; they are quite content that their enemies should suffer. These people can only be refuted by science: Humankind has become so much one family that we cannot ensure our own prosperity except by ensuring that of everyone else. If you wish to be happy yourself, you must resign yourself to seeing others also happy.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human well‑being depends on collective happiness; personal joy requires others’ happiness.
In simple terms: We thrive when everyone thrives.
Key Takeaway
Promote shared prosperity.
Themes
ethics
humanism
social responsibility
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- public policy
- community building
- education
- philanthropy
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
interdependence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance personal freedom with collective welfare?
- What limits exist for altruism?
A Different Perspective
May ignore individual rights in pursuit of collective good.