Animal Quote by B. C. Forbes
“That which is useless dies. Animals that fail to serve some useful purpose in the scheme of things slowly but surely become extinct. Let any part of the human body cease to perform its ordained function, and it withers-as when an arm is kept long in a sling. This same decree, that nothing useless is permitted to survive, runs through the mind of the industrial world.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The World of Industry, B. C. Forbes, 1925
The quote asserts that entities lacking functional purpose are eliminated, mirroring natural selection and industrial efficiency.
In simple terms: Useless things die out.
Key Takeaway
Value purpose, eliminate waste.
Themes
survival
efficiency
purpose
industrialism
Mood
critical
analytical
reflective
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- personal productivity
- environmental policy
- technology design
Key Concepts
natural selection
economics
systems theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines “useful” in your context?
- How do you balance efficiency with compassion?
A Different Perspective
Uselessness can be subjective; not all functions are immediately apparent.
