Skip to content

It is, then, the strife of all honorable men and women of…

“It is, then, the strife of all honorable men and women of the twentieth century to see that in the future competition of the races the survival of the fittest shall mean the triumph of the good, the beautiful, and the true; that we may be able to preserve for future civilization all that is really…” quote by W. E. B. Du Bois
Download Open image
“It is, then, the strife of all honorable men and women of the twentieth century to see that in the future competition of the races the survival of the fittest shall mean the triumph of the good, the beautiful, and the true; that we may be able to preserve for future civilization all that is really fine and noble and strong, and not continue to put a premium on greed and imprudence and cruelty.”

W. E. B. Du Bois

About This Quote

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

He warns that future competition must value moral and aesthetic virtues over selfishness and cruelty.

In simple terms: Future success should reward goodness, beauty, truth.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate virtue over greed.

Themes

ethics civilization humanism

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • education reform
  • policy making
  • community leadership

Key Concepts

moral philosophy social progress

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can societies balance competition with virtue?
  • What defines “the good” in diverse cultures?
A Different Perspective

Idealism may overlook practical constraints.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by W. E. B. Du Bois

Explore all 177 W. E. B. Du Bois quotes

More Able quotes

Browse all 17,257 Able quotes