Arrogance Quote by Joan D. Chittister
“Two ideas militate against our consciously contributing to a better world. The idea that we can do everything or the conclusion that we can do nothing to make this globe a better place to live are both temptations of the most insidious form. One leads to arrogance; the other to despair.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Insidious Temptations of Arrogance and Despair, 2005
We are trapped between believing we can solve everything and thinking we can do nothing, both of which hinder meaningful action.
In simple terms: Both extremes block real progress.
Key Takeaway
Seek balanced, realistic contribution.
Themes
humility
responsibility
action
hope
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
motivational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- community projects
- policy advocacy
- personal volunteering
- environmental stewardship
Key Concepts
psychology
ethics
social change
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you measure realistic impact?
- What small step counters both arrogance and despair?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming paralysis caused by fear of failure or futility.
![“Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this [step by step, from humans to apes to monkeys to lemurs] - leading us insensibly from the crown and summit of the animal creation down to creatures, from which there is but a step, as it seems, to the…” quote by Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f0b/thomas-huxley-1183_animal_perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us_3051.jpg)
