Affair Quote by John Dewey
“In the present state of the world, it is evident that the control we have gained of physical energies, heat, light, electricity, etc., without having first secured control of our use of ourselves is a perilous affair. Without the control of our use of ourselves, our use of other things is blind; it may lead to anything.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Education, 1930s
Human self‑control is prerequisite for responsibly using technology; without it, power becomes dangerous.
In simple terms: We must master ourselves before mastering tools.
Cultivate self‑discipline first.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal development
- leadership
- policy making
- technology deployment
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can individuals strengthen self‑discipline?
- What societal structures support responsible tech use?
Self‑control is hard to achieve and may be undermined by external pressures.