The modern world is reversing the old virtues of…
“The modern world is reversing the old virtues of authority. They aimed deliberately to make men unworldly. They did not aim to found society on a full use of the earth's resources; they did not aim to use the whole nature of man; they did not intend him to think out the full expression of his desires. Democracy is a turning point upon those ideals in a pursuit, at first unconsciously, of the richest life that men can devise for themselves.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Modern society moves away from traditional authority, aiming to fully use human potential and resources, with democracy guiding this pursuit toward a richer life.
In simple terms: Democracy seeks to unleash human potential.
Key Takeaway
Embrace democratic values for fuller life.
Themes
democracy
human potential
resource use
authority
progress
Mood
reflective
optimistic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education reform
- community planning
- environmental stewardship
Key Concepts
political philosophy
humanism
sustainability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can democracy better serve individual aspirations?
- What limits prevent full use of resources?
A Different Perspective
Democratic systems can be imperfect and face resistance.