Thou Quote by John Steinbeck
““Thou mayest rule over sin, Lee. That’s it. I do not believe all men are destroyed. I can name you a dozen who were not, and they are the ones the world lives by. It is true of the spirit as it is true of battles--only the winners are remembered. Surely most men are destroyed, but there are others who like pillars of fire guide frightened men through the darkest. ’Thou mayest, thou mayest!’ What glory! It is true that we are weak and sick and quarrelsome, but if that is all we ever were, we would, millenniums ago, have disappeared from the face of the earth. A few remnants of fossilized jawbone, some broken teeth in strata of limestone, would be the only mark man would have left of his existence in the world. But the choice, Lee, the choice of winning!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, 1939
Even in a world of widespread failure, a few resilient individuals shape history and inspire others.
In simple terms: A few strong people make a big difference.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and support the resilient among us.
Themes
resilience
leadership
legacy
human spirit
history
influence
Mood
reflective
determined
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- war
- social upheaval
- personal struggle
- leadership challenges
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
existentialism
heroism
survival
collective memory
Questions to Reflect On
- Who are the unsung heroes in your life?
- How can we foster resilience in communities?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone can be a hero; many remain unnoticed.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
