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Bottom Quote by George Matthew Adams

“Nearly all our ills are the result of neglect in some way or other. And this truth may be said to apply to the ills of nations as well. Negligence is at the bottom of all decay. And decay always starts by showing little signs-or warnings. Then is the time to show interest and to be alert. There is…” quote by George Matthew Adams
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“Nearly all our ills are the result of neglect in some way or other. And this truth may be said to apply to the ills of nations as well. Negligence is at the bottom of all decay. And decay always starts by showing little signs-or warnings. Then is the time to show interest and to be alert. There is nothing quite so easy as to neglect, and nothing quite so difficult as to repair that negligence. Negligence always carries a high price. It costs nothing to avoid it!”

George Matthew Adams

About This Quote

Negligence leads to decay in individuals and societies; early signs are often ignored, making repair costly and difficult.

In simple terms: Neglect causes problems that grow if not addressed early.

Key Takeaway

Address issues early before they worsen.

Themes

responsibility decay prevention

Mood

concerned urgent

Type

cautionary inspirational

When to use this quote

  • health care
  • public policy
  • environmental stewardship
  • organizational management

Key Concepts

systemic neglect social decay personal accountability

Questions to Reflect On

  • What small steps can prevent larger failures?
  • How can we create systems to catch early warnings?
A Different Perspective

Neglect may be unintentional, and resources for repair can be limited.

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