Believe Quote by Kenneth Clark
““I believe order is better than chaos, creation better than destruction. I prefer gentleness to violence, forgiveness to vendetta. On the whole I think that knowledge is preferable to ignorance, and I am sure that human sympathy is more valuable than ideology. I believe that in spite of the recent triumphs of science, men haven't changed much in the last two thousand years; and in consequence we must try to learn from history.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Lesson of History, Kenneth Clark, 1961
The quote argues that order, creation, gentleness, forgiveness, knowledge, and empathy outweigh their opposites, and that despite scientific progress humanity remains unchanged, so we must learn from history.
In simple terms: Order and empathy are better than chaos and ideology; learn from the past.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize empathy, knowledge, and learning from history.
Themes
order
creation
gentleness
forgiveness
knowledge
empathy
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- education policy
- conflict resolution
- scientific ethics
Key Concepts
philosophy
human nature
historical perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies embed empathy into institutions?
- What lessons from history can guide modern science?
A Different Perspective
Science alone cannot change human nature; cultural inertia persists.
![“There is no monopoly of common sense On either side of the political fence We share the same biology Regardless of ideology Believe me when I say to you I hope the Russians love their children too [...] There's no such thing as a winnable war It's a lie we don't believe anymore ..." ( The Russians )” quote by Sting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1e6/sting-3009_cold-war_there-is-no-monopoly-of-common-sense-on_1475077.jpg)
