Common good Quote by H.D.F. Kitto
““It is an interesting, though idle, speculation, what would be the effect on us if all our reformers, revolutionaries, planners, politicians, and life-arrangers in general were soaked in Homer from their youth up, like the Greeks. They might realize that on the happy day when there is a refrigerator in every home, and two in none, when we all have the opportunity of working for the common good (whatever that is), when Common Man (whoever he is) is triumphant, though not improved--that men will still come and go like the generations of leaves in the forest; that he will still be weak, and the gods strong and incalculable; that the quality of a man matters more than his achievement; that violence and recklessness will still lead to disaster, and that this will fall on the innocent as well as on the guilty.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Speculative cultural analysis, date unknown
Even with ideal conditions, human nature and societal forces remain unchanged, emphasizing timeless struggles.
In simple terms: Human nature stays constant despite progress.
Key Takeaway
Focus on character over achievement.
Themes
human nature
society
progress
philosophy
history
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- education reform
- policy making
- community building
- ethical leadership
Key Concepts
stoicism
political theory
humanism
Questions to Reflect On
- What values should guide societal reforms?
- How can we balance progress with human frailty?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may overlook structural constraints.
