--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Progress, in the sense of acquisition, is…" description: "\"Progress, in the sense of acquisition, is something; but progress in the sense of being, is a great deal more. To grow higher, deeper, wider, as the ye..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/james-freeman-clarke-14743_acquire_progress-in-the-sense-of-acquisition-is_1234365.png" --- # Progress, in the sense of acquisition, is something; but… ![“Progress, in the sense of acquisition, is something; but progress in the sense of being, is a great deal more. To grow higher, deeper, wider, as the years go on; to conquer difficulties, and acquire more and more power; to feel all one's faculties unfolding, and truth descending into the…” quote by James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/james-freeman-clarke-14743_acquire_progress-in-the-sense-of-acquisition-is_1234365.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/james-freeman-clarke-14743_acquire_progress-in-the-sense-of-acquisition-is_1234365.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/james-freeman-clarke-14743_acquire_progress-in-the-sense-of-acquisition-is_1234365.png) > “Progress, in the sense of acquisition, is something; but progress in the sense of being, is a great deal more. To grow higher, deeper, wider, as the years go on; to conquer difficulties, and acquire more and more power; to feel all one's faculties unfolding, and truth descending into the soul,--this makes life worth living.” [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Progress as acquisition differs from progress as being; true fulfillment comes from inner growth, expanding faculties, and deeper truth. **In simple terms:** Inner growth matters more than material gain. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner development. Themes self‑improvement philosophy spirituality Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal development - education - spiritual practice - overcoming challenges Key Concepts existentialism human potential Questions to Reflect On - How can you nurture inner growth today? - What does “being” mean to you? A Different Perspective Material success alone may not bring lasting satisfaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquire/) [Acquisition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquisition/) [Conquer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquer/) [Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Deeper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeper/) [Descending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/descending/) [Difficulty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficulty/) [Faculty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faculty/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Goes on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goes-on/) [Grow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grow/) [Grow Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grow-higher-747040/) [Grows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grows/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life worth living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-worth-living/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Progress Sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress-sense-3830278/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Unfolding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfolding/) [Worth living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-living/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [As we grow in higher consciousness, we discover that it is more important to be the right person then to find the right person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-keyes-jr/as-we-grow-in-higher-consciousness-we-discover-that-it-is-more/) [Ken Keyes Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-keyes-jr/) > [The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. 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Mesmerized. the boy watched them disappear under the hanging white thatch of hair. There, almost coyly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-stroud/the-bristling-eyebrows-shot-up-in-mock-surprise-mesmerized-the-boy/) [Jonathan Stroud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-stroud/) > [I have watched this famous island descending incontinently, fecklessly, the stairway which lead to a dark gulf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-have-watched-this-famous-island-descending-incontinently-fecklessly/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [...most of the press were vultures descending on the scene for curious America aplomb. Cameras inside the coffin interviewing worms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/most-of-the-press-were-vultures-descending-on-the-scene-for-curious/) [Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/) > [This is what our yoga practice is trying to accomplish. Not white light descending from heaven and engulfing you, not energy released from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-kest/this-is-what-our-yoga-practice-is-trying-to-accomplish-not-white/) [Bryan Kest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-kest/) > [And violence is impractical, because the old eye for an eye philosophy ends up leaving everybody blind .. It is immoral because it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/and-violence-is-impractical-because-the-old-eye-for-an-eye-philosophy/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Fundamentalists believe that we don't believe in anything. In their view of the world, they are in possession of absolute certainties, while we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/fundamentalists-believe-that-we-don-t-believe-in-anything-in-their/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“You realize the speed at which you are going to move while ascending. You can reckon the speed at which you were going while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neelam-saxena-chandra/you-realize-the-speed-at-which-you-are-going-to-move-while-ascending/) [Neelam Saxena Chandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neelam-saxena-chandra/) > [My left descending septal branch artery decided to close without consultation with any of my other organs. It happened on Saint Patrick's Day, 1978.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/my-left-descending-septal-branch-artery-decided-to-close-without/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [As far as income goes, there are three currencies in the world; most people ignore two. The three currencies are time, income and mobility,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-ferriss/as-far-as-income-goes-there-are-three-currencies-in-the-world-most/) [Tim Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-ferriss/) > [It must be that I am dreaming, and that I shall awaken in a moment to see that awful knife descending toward my heart-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-rice-burroughs/it-must-be-that-i-am-dreaming-and-that-i-shall-awaken-in-a-moment-to/) [Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-rice-burroughs/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) ## More by James Freeman Clarke > [See to do good, and you will find that happiness will run after you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/see-to-do-good-and-you-will-find-that-happiness-will-run-after-you/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [He who never looks up to a living God, to a heavenly presence, loses the power of perceiving that presence, and the universe slowly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/he-who-never-looks-up-to-a-living-god-to-a-heavenly-presence-loses/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [When I consider what some books have done for the world, and what they are doing, how they keep up our hope, awaken new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/when-i-consider-what-some-books-have-done-for-the-world-and-what-they/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [Let us not torment each other because we are not all alike, but believe that God knew best what He was doing in making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/let-us-not-torment-each-other-because-we-are-not-all-alike-but/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [He who believes in goodness has the essence of all faith. He is a man of cheerful yesterdays and confident to-morrows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/he-who-believes-in-goodness-has-the-essence-of-all-faith-he-is-a-man/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen. He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/all-the-strength-and-force-of-man-comes-from-his-faith-in-things/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [The art of life consists in taking each event which befalls us with a contented mind, confident of good. ... With this method ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/the-art-of-life-consists-in-taking-each-event-which-befalls-us-with-a/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [“If you will only consider, you will remember many a person of whom the world never heard and will never hear, whose years have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/if-you-will-only-consider-you-will-remember-many-a-person-of-whom-the/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [Take thy self-denials gaily and cheerfully, and let the sunshine of thy gladness fall on dark things and bright alike, like the sunshine of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/take-thy-self-denials-gaily-and-cheerfully-and-let-the-sunshine-of/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [I can do small things in a great way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/i-can-do-small-things-in-a-great-way/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [Submission to duty and God gives the highest energy. He, who has done the greatest work on earth, said that He came down from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/submission-to-duty-and-god-gives-the-highest-energy-he-who-has-done/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [It may make a difference to all eternity whether we do right or wrong today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/it-may-make-a-difference-to-all-eternity-whether-we-do-right-or-wrong/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [It is no natural for a man to pray that no theory can prevent him from doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/it-is-no-natural-for-a-man-to-pray-that-no-theory-can-prevent-him/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [Love is the spirit of life, and makes all things live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/love-is-the-spirit-of-life-and-makes-all-things-live/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [We are either progressing or retrograding all the while; there is no such thing as remaining stationary in this life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/we-are-either-progressing-or-retrograding-all-the-while-there-is-no/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) [Explore all 45 James Freeman Clarke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) ## More Acquire quotes > [Most people seek after what they do not possess and are enslaved by the very things they want to acquire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anwar-sadat/most-people-seek-after-what-they-do-not-possess-and-are-enslaved-by/) [Anwar Sadat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anwar-sadat/) > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Humility is an elusive virtue. 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Thus they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [In the late 1950s a major topic under discussion was whether Canada should acquire nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-charles-polanyi/in-the-late-1950s-a-major-topic-under-discussion-was-whether-canada/) [John Charles Polanyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-charles-polanyi/) > [Shamanism is a path of knowledge, not of faith, and that knowledge cannot come from me or anyone else in this reality. To acquire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-harner/shamanism-is-a-path-of-knowledge-not-of-faith-and-that-knowledge/) [Michael Harner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-harner/) [Browse all 1,020 Acquire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Progress, in the sense of acquisition, is something; but progress in the sense of being, is a great deal more. 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