Common Quote by Jane Addams
“The identification with the common lot which is the essential idea of Democracy becomes the source and expression of social ethics. It is as though we thirsted to drink at the great wells of human experience, because we knew that a daintier or less potent draught would not carry us to the end of the journey, going forward as we must in the heat and jostle of the crowd.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "Democracy and Social Ethics", 1910
Democracy thrives when individuals identify with the collective, drawing strength from shared human experience rather than limited perspectives.
In simple terms: Collective identity fuels democracy.
Key Takeaway
Embrace shared experiences for ethical action.
Themes
democracy
social ethics
collective identity
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- community building
- public policy
- social movements
- education reform
Key Concepts
philosophy
humanism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does shared experience shape ethical decisions?
- What limits arise when focusing on the collective?
A Different Perspective
Balancing individuality with collective needs can be challenging.
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
