Whenever education and refinement carry us away from the…
“Whenever education and refinement carry us away from the common people, they are growing towards selfishness, which is the monster evil of the world. That is true cultivation which gives us sympathy with every form of human life, and enables us to work most successfully for its advancement. Refinement that carries us away from our fellow people is not God's refinement.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
True refinement connects us to humanity; distancing from common people breeds selfishness and evil.
In simple terms: Refinement should foster empathy.
Cultivate humility and empathy.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- teaching
- community service
- policy making
- social activism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can education stay inclusive?
- What practices nurture empathy?
Elite education can become exclusionary.