--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The European and the African have an…" description: "\"“The European and the African have an entirely different concept of time. In the European worldview, time exists outside man, exists objectively, and h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/anonymous-1_africa_the-european-and-the-african-have-an-ent_68422.jpg" --- # The European and the African have an entirely different… ![“The European and the African have an entirely different concept of time. In the European worldview, time exists outside man, exists objectively, and has measurable and linear characteristics. According to Newton, time is absolute: “Absolute, true, mathematical time of itself and from its own…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/anonymous-1_africa_the-european-and-the-african-have-an-ent_68422.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/anonymous-1_africa_the-european-and-the-african-have-an-ent_68422.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/anonymous-1_africa_the-european-and-the-african-have-an-ent_68422.jpg) > ““The European and the African have an entirely different concept of time. In the European worldview, time exists outside man, exists objectively, and has measurable and linear characteristics. According to Newton, time is absolute: “Absolute, true, mathematical time of itself and from its own nature, it flows equitably and without relation to anything external.” The European feels himself to be time’s slave, dependent on it, subject to it. To exist and function, he must observe its ironclad, inviolate laws, its inflexible principles and rules. He must heed deadlines, dates, days, and hours. He moves within the rigors of time and cannot exist outside them. They impose upon him their requirements and quotas. An unresolvable conflict exists between man and time, one that always ends with man’s defeat—time annihilates him. Africans apprehend time differently. For them, it is a much looser concept, more open, elastic, subjective. It is man who influences time, its shape, course, and rhythm (man acting, of course, with the consent of gods and ancestors ). Time is even something that man can create outright, for time is made manifest through events, and whether an event takes place or not depends, after all, on man alone. If two armies do not engage in a battle, then that battle will not occur (in other words, time will not have revealed its presence, will not have come into being). Time appears as a result of our actions, and vanishes when we neglect or ignore it. It is something that springs to life under our influence, but falls into a state of hibernation, even nonexistence, if we do not direct our energy toward it. It is a subservient, passive essence, and, most importantly, one dependent on man.”” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage contrasts European linear, absolute time with African fluid, event‑driven time, suggesting that in African thought time is shaped by human action and cultural forces rather than existing as an external, immutable force. **In simple terms:** European time is fixed; African time is flexible and human‑driven. Key Takeaway Time perception varies across cultures. Themes cultural relativism time perception agency linear vs. cyclical social construct anthropology Mood reflective analytical Type observational comparative When to use this quote - cross‑cultural communication - project management across regions - anthropological research - multinational team coordination - conflict resolution Key Concepts linear time subjective time cultural worldview human agency Practical Applications - designing culturally aware schedules - adapting negotiation tactics Questions to Reflect On - How does your own cultural view of time affect your daily decisions? - What challenges arise when differing time concepts clash in collaboration? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africa/) [Clock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) [Concept of time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concept-of-time/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Spending time with you is my absolute favorite thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/spending-time-with-you-is-my-absolute-favorite-thing-to-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you are happy time appears shorter, when you are sad time appears longer. And in meditation we transcend time!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/when-you-are-happy-time-appears-shorter-when-you-are-sad-time-appears/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [The time appears to me to have come when it is the duty of all to make their dissent from religion known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-time-appears-to-me-to-have-come-when-it-is-the-duty-of-all-to/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [ For you \[God\] are infinite and never change. 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For while the movements of people are unpredictable, the movement of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/a-world-in-which-time-is-absolute-is-a-world-of-consolation-for-while/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In essence what relativity says is that space and time are not absolute but relative both to the observer and the thing being observed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/in-essence-what-relativity-says-is-that-space-and-time-are-not/) [Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. 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I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Africa quotes > [“We ought to know the history of our ancient ancestors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-ought-to-know-the-history-of-our-ancient-ancestors/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Africa, being the major target of colonial plunder, therefore becomes a major source of conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-horne/africa-being-the-major-target-of-colonial-plunder-therefore-becomes-a/) [Gerald Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-horne/) > [I'm in 'Madagascar 2.' 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