Gratitude Quote by H.G. Wells
![“You have turned your back on common men, on their elementary needs and their restricted time and intelligence [...] I ask: who the hell is this Joyce who demands so many waking hours of the few thousands I have still to live for a proper appreciation of his quirks and fancies and flashes of…” quote by H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a00/h-g-wells-2-1299_gratitude_you-have-turned-your-back-on-common-men_1789049.jpg)
““You have turned your back on common men, on their elementary needs and their restricted time and intelligence [...] I ask: who the hell is this Joyce who demands so many waking hours of the few thousands I have still to live for a proper appreciation of his quirks and fancies and flashes of rendering?””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, 1895
The speaker criticizes the elite’s demand for excessive intellectual devotion, neglecting ordinary people’s simple needs and limited time.
In simple terms: Demanding too much of others ignores their basic needs.
Key Takeaway
Balance ambition with respect for others’ limits.
Themes
elitism
intellectualism
empathy
time
social responsibility
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- academic pursuits
- creative projects
- leadership decisions
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
existentialism
humanism
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we pursue depth without alienating others?
- What responsibilities do we have to those with fewer resources?
A Different Perspective
The critique may overlook the value of deep study for personal growth.
![“The thing [Henry James'] novel is about is always there. It is like a church lit but without a congregation to distract you, with every light and line focused on the high altar. And on the altar, very reverently placed, intensely there, is a dead kitten, an egg-shell, a bit of string.” quote by H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/19f/h-g-wells-2-1299_books_the-thing-henry-james-novel-is-about-is_138893.jpg)
