The supposed great misery of our century is the lack of…
“The supposed great misery of our century is the lack of time; our sense of that, not a disinterested love of science, and certainly not wisdom, is why we devote such a huge proportion of the ingenuity and income of our societies to finding faster ways of doing things - as if the final aim of mankind was to grow closer not to a perfect humanity, but to a perfect lightning-flash.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote laments modern society’s obsession with speed, arguing that it distracts from deeper appreciation of science and wisdom.
In simple terms: Speed obsession distracts from deeper values.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize depth over speed.
Themes
technology
society
philosophy
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- workplace productivity
- education reform
- personal time management
- policy making
Key Concepts
time perception
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “speed” cost you personally?
- How can you balance efficiency with depth?
A Different Perspective
Speed can be necessary for emergencies and innovation.