--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But human beings are not machines, and…" description: "\"But human beings are not machines, and however powerful the pressure to conform, they sometimes are so moved by what they see as injustice that they da..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/271/howard-zinn-576_computers_but-human-beings-are-not-machines-and-ho_667041.jpg" --- # But human beings are not machines, and however powerful… ![“But human beings are not machines, and however powerful the pressure to conform, they sometimes are so moved by what they see as injustice that they dare to declare their independence. In that historical possibility lies hope.” quote by Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/271/howard-zinn-576_computers_but-human-beings-are-not-machines-and-ho_667041.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/271/howard-zinn-576_computers_but-human-beings-are-not-machines-and-ho_667041.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/271/howard-zinn-576_computers_but-human-beings-are-not-machines-and-ho_667041.jpg) > “But human beings are not machines, and however powerful the pressure to conform, they sometimes are so moved by what they see as injustice that they dare to declare their independence. In that historical possibility lies hope.” [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People can resist conformity and injustice, choosing independence and hope despite societal pressure. **In simple terms:** People can choose freedom over conformity when faced with injustice. Key Takeaway Stand up for justice despite pressure. Themes justice independence conformity hope Mood defiant optimistic Type political inspirational When to use this quote - activism - workplace ethics - community organizing - political protest Key Concepts civil disobedience social movements ethical courage Questions to Reflect On - What injustice compels you to act? - How can you foster independence in others? A Different Perspective Resistance may be suppressed by powerful institutions, limiting impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Conformity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformity/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Injustice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injustice/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines/) [Possibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibility/) [Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure/) ## Related quotes > [Declare independence, don't let them do that to you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bjork/declare-independence-don-t-let-them-do-that-to-you/) [Bjork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bjork/) > ['But,' say the puling, pusillanimous cowards, 'we shall be subject to a long and bloody war if we declare independence.' 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