Humankind Quote by Michael Perry
““Humans possess no monopoly on the powers of preservation and destruction. Our ability to wield these powers with sustained intent, however, is unmatched on this earth. Nature can trump us in an instance or over millenia, but in the day-to-day main, humankind has developed a preponderant ability to fiddle with destiny. More than any other natural force or creature, we decide what will go and what will stay: the rainforest, an old building, a sickly cat... ourselves.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Humanity and Power, 2018
Humans uniquely wield preservation and destruction, shaping destiny daily.
In simple terms: Humans have unmatched power over environment.
Key Takeaway
Use power responsibly and sustainably.
Themes
environment
responsibility
power
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
environmental
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- urban planning
- conservation projects
Key Concepts
Anthropocene
ethical stewardship
Questions to Reflect On
- How to balance power with humility?
- What safeguards prevent abuse?
A Different Perspective
Power can lead to overconfidence and misuse.
![“[Margot Hentoff] thinks - first of all, she - this I hear from a lot of people beside her. She thinks that men have no business getting into this argument at all unless they're going to be pro-choice. But it turns out that a fair number of fetuses are male, and besides that, we are all one part of…” quote by Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/060/nat-hentoff-1615_argument_margot-hentoff-thinks-first-of-all-she-t_42891.jpg)
