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Two Kinds of People There are two kinds of people on earth…

“Two Kinds of People There are two kinds of people on earth today, Two kinds of people no more I say. Not the good or the bad, for it's well understood, The good are half bad, the bad are half good. Not the happy or sad, for in the swift-flying years, Bring each man his laughter, each man his…” quote by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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““ Two Kinds of People There are two kinds of people on earth today, Two kinds of people no more I say. Not the good or the bad, for it's well understood, The good are half bad, the bad are half good. Not the happy or sad, for in the swift-flying years, Bring each man his laughter, each man his tears. Not the rich or the poor, for to count a man's wealth, You must know the state of his conscience and health. Not the humble and proud, for in life's busy span, Who puts on vain airs is not counted a man. No! the two kinds of people on earth I mean, Are the people who lift, the people who lean. Wherever you go you'll find the world's masses Are ever divided into these two classes. And, strangely enough, you will find, too, I mean, There is only one lifter to twenty who lean. In which class are you? Are you easing the load Of the overtaxed lifters who toiled down the road? Or are you a leaner who lets others bear, Your portion of worry and labor and care?””

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human beings fall into two categories: those who support others and those who depend on others, highlighting moral and social responsibility.

In simple terms: People either lift or lean; it's about contribution.

Key Takeaway

Choose to lift rather than lean.

Themes

morality social responsibility human nature

Mood

introspective inspirational

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • community service
  • leadership
  • personal development

Key Concepts

ethics social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • Which role do you play in your community?
  • How can you shift from leaning to lifting?
A Different Perspective

The binary oversimplifies complex human behavior.

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