I believe in aristocracy, though—if that is the right…
““I believe in aristocracy, though—if that is the right word, and if a democrat may use it. Not an aristocracy of power … but … of the sensitive, the considerate.… Its members are to be found in all nations and classes, and all through the ages, and there is a secret understanding between them when they meet. They represent the true human tradition, the one permanent victory of our queer race over cruelty and chaos. Thousands of them perish in obscurity, a few are great names. They are sensitive for others as well as themselves, they are considerate without being fussy, their pluck is not swankiness but the power to endure … E. M. Forster, “What I Believe,” in Two Cheers for Democracy Contents Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Epigraph Preface Are You Highly Sensitive? A Self-Test 1 The Facts About Being Highly Sensitive: A (Wrong) Sense of Being Flawed 2 Digging Deeper: Understanding Your Trait for All That It Is””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Forster envisions a meritocratic elite defined by sensitivity and consideration rather than power, a timeless, cross‑cultural community that counters cruelty.
In simple terms: Sensitive meritocracy
Key Takeaway
Compassionate strength
Themes
sensitivity
meritocracy
humanism
resilience
social cohesion
ethical leadership
Mood
hopeful
reflective
defiant
Type
philosophical
social commentary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- leadership selection
- community building
- educational curricula
- mental‑health advocacy
- cultural criticism
Key Concepts
empathy
cultural continuity
inner strength
social responsibility
Practical Applications
- designing inclusive leadership models
- crafting narratives that value emotional intelligence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies recognize and nurture sensitivity as a leadership quality?
- What structures might protect sensitive individuals from being overlooked?