--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An ideal is an unselfish aspiration. Its…" description: "\"An ideal is an unselfish aspiration. Its purpose is the general welfare not only of this but of future generations. It is a thing of the spirit. It is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b48/herbert-hoover-1115_aspiration_an-ideal-is-an-unselfish-aspiration-its_1296849.jpg" --- # An ideal is an unselfish aspiration. Its purpose is the… ![“An ideal is an unselfish aspiration. Its purpose is the general welfare not only of this but of future generations. It is a thing of the spirit. It is a generous and humane desire that all men may share equally in a common good. Our ideals are the cement, which binds human society.” quote by Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b48/herbert-hoover-1115_aspiration_an-ideal-is-an-unselfish-aspiration-its_1296849.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b48/herbert-hoover-1115_aspiration_an-ideal-is-an-unselfish-aspiration-its_1296849.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b48/herbert-hoover-1115_aspiration_an-ideal-is-an-unselfish-aspiration-its_1296849.jpg) > “An ideal is an unselfish aspiration. Its purpose is the general welfare not only of this but of future generations. It is a thing of the spirit. It is a generous and humane desire that all men may share equally in a common good. Our ideals are the cement, which binds human society.” [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ideals are selfless aspirations aimed at the common good, binding society across generations. **In simple terms:** Selfless goals unite people. Key Takeaway Cultivate selfless, future‑focused goals. Themes idealism community generational Mood inspirational serious Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - policy making - education - community projects Key Concepts ethical philosophy social cohesion Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn ideals into actionable plans? - What sacrifices are needed for the common good? A Different Perspective Idealism can be unrealistic without practical steps. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspiration/) [Cement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cement/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-good/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Future generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-generation/) [General welfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/general-welfare/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous/) [Good Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-ideals-4245128/) [Human society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-society/) [Humane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humane/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Ideal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideal/) [Ideal Unselfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideal-unselfish-3956718/) [Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals/) [Ideals Cement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals-cement-4245129/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Share](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/share/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Unselfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unselfish/) [Welfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welfare/) ## Related quotes > [People do things in the names of good, and in the name of ideals, but the world isn't that simple. 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Anyone can call himself a promoter and stage a fight. 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