--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Machinery that gives us abundance has…" description: "\"Machinery that gives us abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical, our cleverness hard and unkind. We think too much and feel to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/charlie-chaplin-1779_gentleness_machinery-that-gives-us-abundance-has-le_2325154.jpg" --- # Machinery that gives us abundance has left us in want. Our… ![“Machinery that gives us abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical, our cleverness hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be…” quote by Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/charlie-chaplin-1779_gentleness_machinery-that-gives-us-abundance-has-le_2325154.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/charlie-chaplin-1779_gentleness_machinery-that-gives-us-abundance-has-le_2325154.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/charlie-chaplin-1779_gentleness_machinery-that-gives-us-abundance-has-le_2325154.jpg) > “Machinery that gives us abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical, our cleverness hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent, and all will be lost.” [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Technology provides abundance but can erode empathy, leading to cynicism and violence without humanity and kindness. **In simple terms:** Abundance without kindness breeds cruelty. Key Takeaway Cultivate kindness alongside innovation. Themes technology humanity empathy civilization Mood reflective concerned Type philosophical social When to use this quote - personal relationships - policy making - education - community building Key Concepts cynicism violence alienation Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance technological progress with human compassion? - What practices nurture gentleness in a fast‑paced world? A Different Perspective Kindness alone cannot solve systemic issues; structural change also needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gentleness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleness/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) ## Related quotes > [...The way of life can be free and beautiful. But we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men's souls, has barricaded the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/the-way-of-life-can-be-free-and-beautiful-but-we-have-lost-the-way-2/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [“We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each others' happiness, not by each other's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/we-all-want-to-help-one-another-human-beings-are-like-that-we-want-to-2/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity; more than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/we-think-too-much-and-feel-too-little-more-than-machinery-we-need/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [More than machinery, we need humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/more-than-machinery-we-need-humanity/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [“I'm sorry, but I don't want to be an emperor. That's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/i-m-sorry-but-i-don-t-want-to-be-an-emperor-that-s-not-my-business-i/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [“They didn't think he was simple-minded. If anything they thought him a little too clever. But there are times in the history of humanity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/they-didn-t-think-he-was-simple-minded-if-anything-they-thought-him-a/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [“But there are times in the history of humanity when cleverness might as well be simplicity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-there-are-times-in-the-history-of-humanity-when-cleverness-might/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If the computer-guided robots turn out to be our superiors in every respect, then will they not find that they can run the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-penrose/if-the-computer-guided-robots-turn-out-to-be-our-superiors-in-every/) [Roger Penrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-penrose/) > [We don't need more stuff, we need more humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/we-don-t-need-more-stuff-we-need-more-humanity/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [“WE SHOULD ALL BE HUMANISTS. So I had this conversation with a friend and I am of the view that, we need no tags…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magnus-nwagu-amudi/we-should-all-be-humanists-so-i-had-this-conversation-with-a-friend/) Magnus Nwagu Amudi > [Every man has his price. This is not true. But for every man there exists a bait which he cannot resist swallowing. To win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/every-man-has-his-price-this-is-not-true-but-for-every-man-there/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“Whatever you do, be gentle. People might have forgiven your harsh words but they may never forget how it stabbed their heart at that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mufti-ismail-menk/whatever-you-do-be-gentle-people-might-have-forgiven-your-harsh-words/) [Mufti Ismail Menk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mufti-ismail-menk/) > [“I’m a man of stone - and my hands are not soft enough to brush away, each stray wisp of hair”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-geddes/i-m-a-man-of-stone-and-my-hands-are-not-soft-enough-to-brush-away/) [john j geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-j-geddes/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [“SILENT LIKE SLEEP You appear by my side, silent like sleep. Soft hair, a little wild. No fear, gentle like a calm river. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/silent-like-sleep-you-appear-by-my-side-silent-like-sleep-soft-hair-a/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) ## More by Charlie Chaplin > [The people are applauding you because none of them understands you and applauding me because everybody understands me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/the-people-are-applauding-you-because-none-of-them-understands-you/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [I am not religious in the dogmatic sense ... I neither believe nor disbelieve in anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/i-am-not-religious-in-the-dogmatic-sense-i-neither-believe-nor/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [Even when I was in the orphanage, when I was roaming the street trying to find enough to eat, even then I thought of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/even-when-i-was-in-the-orphanage-when-i-was-roaming-the-street-trying/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [You are only as good as the woman you are standing beside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/you-are-only-as-good-as-the-woman-you-are-standing-beside/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [my lips never know my problem they just always smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/my-lips-never-know-my-problem-they-just-always-smile/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [“Vosotros no sois ganado, no sois máquinas, sois Hombres.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/vosotros-no-sois-ganado-no-sois-m-quinas-sois-hombres/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [Moving pictures need sound as much as Beethoven symphonies need lyrics,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/moving-pictures-need-sound-as-much-as-beethoven-symphonies-need-lyrics/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [Time is the best author. It always writes the perfect ending.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/time-is-the-best-author-it-always-writes-the-perfect-ending/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/in-this-world-there-is-room-for-everyone-and-the-good-earth-is-rich/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [Man as an individual is a genius. But men in the mass form the headless monster, a great, brutish idiot that goes where prodded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/man-as-an-individual-is-a-genius-but-men-in-the-mass-form-the/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [The irony in life doing the wrong thing at the right moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/the-irony-in-life-doing-the-wrong-thing-at-the-right-moment/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [Man is an animal with primary instincts of survival. Consequently his ingenuity has developed first and his soul afterwards. The progress of science is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/man-is-an-animal-with-primary-instincts-of-survival-consequently-his/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [I don't need interesting camera angles, I am interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/i-don-t-need-interesting-camera-angles-i-am-interesting/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [Nothing in life is permanent, not even one's troubles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/nothing-in-life-is-permanent-not-even-one-s-troubles/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [What do you want a meaning for? Life is a desire, not a meaning. Desire is the theme of life. The meaning of anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/what-do-you-want-a-meaning-for-life-is-a-desire-not-a-meaning-desire/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) [Explore all 199 Charlie Chaplin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) ## More Gentleness quotes > [“SILENT LIKE SLEEP You appear by my side, silent like sleep. Soft hair, a little wild. No fear, gentle like a calm river. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/silent-like-sleep-you-appear-by-my-side-silent-like-sleep-soft-hair-a/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [“I’m a man of stone - and my hands are not soft enough to brush away, each stray wisp of hair”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-geddes/i-m-a-man-of-stone-and-my-hands-are-not-soft-enough-to-brush-away/) [john j geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-j-geddes/) > [“Whatever you do, be gentle. People might have forgiven your harsh words but they may never forget how it stabbed their heart at that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mufti-ismail-menk/whatever-you-do-be-gentle-people-might-have-forgiven-your-harsh-words/) [Mufti Ismail Menk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mufti-ismail-menk/) > [“Each of us is the ultimate expert on the gentleness and understanding we deserve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-sar-aira/each-of-us-is-the-ultimate-expert-on-the-gentleness-and-understanding/) [César Aira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-sar-aira/) > [Every man has his price. This is not true. But for every man there exists a bait which he cannot resist swallowing. To win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/every-man-has-his-price-this-is-not-true-but-for-every-man-there/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [In the end we are always rewarded for our good will, our patience, fair-mindedness, and gentleness with what is strange.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-the-end-we-are-always-rewarded-for-our-good-will-our-patience-fair/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Yet, it had been Dimitri’s gentleness and thoughtfulness mixed with that deadliness that made him so wonderful. The same hands that wielded stakes with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/yet-it-had-been-dimitri-s-gentleness-and-thoughtfulness-mixed-with/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [I started understanding that my strength is my gentleness. A leader isn't a dictator, a leader is a servant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gaskins/i-started-understanding-that-my-strength-is-my-gentleness-a-leader/) [Tony Gaskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gaskins/) > [Daphne," he said with controlled gentleness, "what is wrong?" She sat down opposite him and placed a hand on his cheek. "I'm so insensitive,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/daphne-he-said-with-controlled-gentleness-what-is-wrong-she-sat-down/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [Being empowered includes developing the powerful qualities that lead human beings to cultivate wellness and healing. And those are the same qualities that enhance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-kest/being-empowered-includes-developing-the-powerful-qualities-that-lead/) [Bryan Kest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-kest/) > [“KINGDOM OF THE WOMB From her thighs, she gives you life And how you treat she who gives you life Shows how much you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/kingdom-of-the-womb-from-her-thighs-she-gives-you-life-and-how-you/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“Never in England were there so many gentlemen and so little gentleness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-sansom/never-in-england-were-there-so-many-gentlemen-and-so-little-gentleness/) [C.J. Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-sansom/) > [Your gentleness shall force More than your force move us to gentleness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/your-gentleness-shall-force-more-than-your-force-move-us-to-gentleness/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“There are gentler and more graceful ways to interface with natural conflict.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/there-are-gentler-and-more-graceful-ways-to-interface-with-natural/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) [Browse all 489 Gentleness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Machinery that gives us abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical, our cleverness hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent, and all will be lost.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Charlie Chaplin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/machinery-that-gives-us-abundance-has-left-us-in-want-our-knowledge/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gentleness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/machinery-that-gives-us-abundance-has-left-us-in-want-our-knowledge/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/charlie-chaplin-1779_gentleness_machinery-that-gives-us-abundance-has-le_2325154.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/charlie-chaplin-1779_gentleness_machinery-that-gives-us-abundance-has-le_2325154.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/charlie-chaplin-1779_gentleness_machinery-that-gives-us-abundance-has-le_2325154.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Machinery that gives us abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical, our cleverness…” — Charlie Chaplin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Charlie Chaplin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Machinery that gives us abundance has...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/machinery-that-gives-us-abundance-has-left-us-in-want-our-knowledge/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/machinery-that-gives-us-abundance-has-left-us-in-want-our-knowledge/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```