--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In temperament the Second Men were…" description: "\"“In temperament the Second Men were curiously different from the earlier species. The same factors were present, but in different proportions, and in f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/olaf-stapledon-9950_fighting-spirit_in-temperament-the-second-men-were-curio_1278605.jpg" --- # In temperament the Second Men were curiously different… ![“In temperament the Second Men were curiously different from the earlier species. The same factors were present, but in different proportions, and in far greater subordination to the considered will of the individual. Sexual vigour had returned. But sexual interest was strangely altered. Around the…” quote by Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/olaf-stapledon-9950_fighting-spirit_in-temperament-the-second-men-were-curio_1278605.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/olaf-stapledon-9950_fighting-spirit_in-temperament-the-second-men-were-curio_1278605.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/olaf-stapledon-9950_fighting-spirit_in-temperament-the-second-men-were-curio_1278605.jpg) > ““In temperament the Second Men were curiously different from the earlier species. The same factors were present, but in different proportions, and in far greater subordination to the considered will of the individual. Sexual vigour had returned. But sexual interest was strangely altered. Around the ancient core of delight in physical and mental contact with the opposite sex there now appeared a kind of innately sublimated, and no less poignant, appreciation of the unique physical and mental forms of all kinds of live things. It is difficult for less ample natures to imagine this expansion of the innate sexual interest; for to them it is not apparent that the lusty admiration which at first directs itself solely on the opposite sex is the appropriate attitude to all the beauties of flesh and spirit in beast and bird and plant. Parental interest also was strong in the new species, but it too was universalized. It had become a strong innate interest in, and a devotion to, all beings that were conceived as in need of help. In the earlier species this passionate spontaneous altruism occurred only in exceptional persons. In the new species, however, all normal men and women experienced altruism as a passion. And yet at the same time primitive parenthood had become tempered to a less possessive and more objective love, which among the First Men was less common than they themselves were pleased to believe. Assertiveness had also greatly changed. Formerly very much of a man's energy had been devoted to the assertion of himself as a private individual over against other individuals; and very much of his generosity had been at bottom selfish. But in the Second Men this competitive self-assertion, this championship of the most intimately known animal against all others, was greatly tempered. Formerly the major enterprises of society would never have been carried through had they not been able to annex to themselves the egoism of their champions. But in the Second Men the parts were reversed. Few individuals could ever trouble to exert themselves to the last ounce for merely private ends, save when those ends borrowed interest or import from some public enterprise. It was only his vision of a world-wide community of persons, and of his own function therein, that could rouse the fighting spirit in a man. Thus it was inwardly, rather than in outward physical characters, that the Second Men differed from the First. And in nothing did they differ more than in their native aptitude for cosmopolitanism. They had their tribes and nations. War was not quite unknown amongst them. But even in primitive times a man's most serious loyalty was directed toward the race as a whole; and wars were so hampered by impulses of kindliness toward the enemy that they were apt to degenerate into rather violent athletic contests, leading to an orgy of fraternization. It would not be true to say that the strongest interest of these beings was social. They were never prone to exalt the abstraction called the state, or the nation, or even the world-commonwealth. For their most characteristic factor was not mere gregariousness but something novel, namely an innate interest in personality, both in the actual diversity of persons and in the ideal of personal development. They had a remarkable power of vividly intuiting their fellows as unique persons with special needs. Individuals of the earlier species had suffered from an almost insurmountable spiritual isolation from one another. Not even lovers, and scarcely even the geniuses with special insight into personality, ever had anything like accurate vision of one another. But the Second Men, more intensely and accurately self-conscious, were also more intensely and accurately conscious of one another. This they achieved by no unique faculty, but solely by a more ready interest in each other, a finer insight, and a more active imagination.”” [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage describes a speculative evolution where humanity (Second Men) develops broader, more universal love and altruism, shifting from self‑centered desire to a compassionate concern for all life. **In simple terms:** Humans become caring for all living things, not just each other. Key Takeaway Cultivate empathy beyond immediate circles. Themes evolution altruism sexuality assertiveness compassion Mood reflective hopeful philosophical Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - environmental activism - animal rights - community service - education reform - interpersonal relationships Key Concepts species evolution innate desire universal love self‑transcendence Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance universal compassion with personal ambition? - What limits arise when self‑interest is minimized? A Different Perspective Such universal altruism may dilute personal motivation and societal progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fighting spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting-spirit/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Personal development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-development/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) ## Related quotes > [“They were a remarkable company, each one of them a unique person, yet characterized to some extent by his particular national type. And all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/they-were-a-remarkable-company-each-one-of-them-a-unique-person-yet/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [Hello all, My name is whogivesafuckaboutme, Im a young motivated alien and I like nice things. I think for myself and I think my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hello-all-my-name-is-whogivesafuckaboutme-im-a-young-motivated-alien/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I would much rather be the only unique person in the world with nobody than be an actor who can’t take off his mask.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-would-much-rather-be-the-only-unique-person-in-the-world-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You are a unique person, just like everybody else!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-miller/you-are-a-unique-person-just-like-everybody-else/) [Warren Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-miller/) > [In my opinion, unique personality makes for a desirable trait.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shehnaaz-gill/in-my-opinion-unique-personality-makes-for-a-desirable-trait/) [Shehnaaz Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shehnaaz-gill/) > [My dad was a unique person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carter-cash/my-dad-was-a-unique-person/) [John Carter Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carter-cash/) > [“Think of the times in your life when you have been deeply passionate about something. Whether it is for your family, a cause, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/think-of-the-times-in-your-life-when-you-have-been-deeply-passionate/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“But will anyone again look at that tree, read that poem, love a dog in quite my way? I am a particular and, despite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-heilbrun/but-will-anyone-again-look-at-that-tree-read-that-poem-love-a-dog-in/) [Carolyn Heilbrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-heilbrun/) > [To me, what makes an artist is a unique personality that they're not afraid to let show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-shelton/to-me-what-makes-an-artist-is-a-unique-personality-that-they-re-not/) [Blake Shelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-shelton/) > [Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells/christ-is-the-most-unique-person-of-history-no-man-can-write-a/) [H. G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells/) > [People who have the courage to be individuals can usually think things through on their own and make sound decisions. They don't say, "What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/people-who-have-the-courage-to-be-individuals-can-usually-think/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“What if the link or key to healing was through finding your unique personal creative outlet?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-dennis-evans/what-if-the-link-or-key-to-healing-was-through-finding-your-unique/) Michelle Dennis Evans > [“Everyone has quirks of behavior and personality that at times irritate us. Yet in most cases the problem isn't that they are bad; its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-norman-wright/everyone-has-quirks-of-behavior-and-personality-that-at-times/) [H. Norman Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-norman-wright/) > [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [We are all a unique person with everyone we meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/we-are-all-a-unique-person-with-everyone-we-meet/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) ## More by Olaf Stapledon > [ No visiting angel, or explorer from another planet, could have guessed that this bland orb \[Earth\] teemed with vermin, with world-mastering, self-torturing, incipiently angelic… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/no-visiting-angel-or-explorer-from-another-planet-could-have-guessed/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [In fact man's career has been less like a mountain torrent hurtling from rock to rock, than a great sluggish river, broken very seldom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/in-fact-man-s-career-has-been-less-like-a-mountain-torrent-hurtling/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [I loathe the urchin's cruelty to the cat, but I will not loathe the urchin. I loathe Hitler's mass-torturing, but not Hitler; and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/i-loathe-the-urchin-s-cruelty-to-the-cat-but-i-will-not-loathe-the/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [“We are bound to hurt one another so much, again and again. we are so terribly different.''Yes,' he said, 'But the more different, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/we-are-bound-to-hurt-one-another-so-much-again-and-again-we-are-so/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [Great are the stars, and man is of no account to them. But man is a fair spirit, whom a star conceived and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/great-are-the-stars-and-man-is-of-no-account-to-them-but-man-is-a/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [Without Satan, with God only, how poor a universe, how trite a music!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/without-satan-with-god-only-how-poor-a-universe-how-trite-a-music/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [I see, indeed I know, that in some sense God is love, and God is wisdom, and God is creative action, yes and God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/i-see-indeed-i-know-that-in-some-sense-god-is-love-and-god-is-wisdom/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [“With characteristic lack of false modesty, John once said to me, "My looks are a rough test of people. If they don't begin to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/with-characteristic-lack-of-false-modesty-john-once-said-to-me-my/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [ \[S\]ervants of darkness had no lasting joy in their service. In all of them the will for darkness was a perversion of the will… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/s-ervants-of-darkness-had-no-lasting-joy-in-their-service-in-all-of/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [“The truth of the matter was something much more subtle and tremendous than any plain physical miracle could ever be. But never mind that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/the-truth-of-the-matter-was-something-much-more-subtle-and-tremendous/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [Even when all the worlds have frozen or exploded, and all the suns gone dead and cold, there'll still be time. Oh, God, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/even-when-all-the-worlds-have-frozen-or-exploded-and-all-the-suns/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [The Tibetan missionaries in their mood of bright confidence disconcerted the imperial governments by laughing the new movement into frustration. For a sham faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/the-tibetan-missionaries-in-their-mood-of-bright-confidence/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [“For the former, activity, any kind of activity, was an end in itself; for the latter, activity was but a progress toward the true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/for-the-former-activity-any-kind-of-activity-was-an-end-in-itself-for/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [We have no government and no laws, if by law is meant a stereotyped convention supported by force, and not to be altered without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/we-have-no-government-and-no-laws-if-by-law-is-meant-a-stereotyped/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [“In the tide of these wild thoughts we checked our fancy, remembering that only on the rare grains called planets can life gain foothold,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/in-the-tide-of-these-wild-thoughts-we-checked-our-fancy-remembering/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) [Explore all 69 Olaf Stapledon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) ## More Fighting spirit quotes > [I was just an ordinary player with a big heart and a fighting spirit to recommend me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-fallon/i-was-just-an-ordinary-player-with-a-big-heart-and-a-fighting-spirit/) Sean Fallon > [The gallantry and aggressive fighting spirit of the Russian soldiers command the American army's admiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-marshall/the-gallantry-and-aggressive-fighting-spirit-of-the-russian-soldiers/) [George C. Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-marshall/) > [“In the darkest nights, become your own beacon. The goals you fight for are waiting on the strength you refuse to surrender.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dark-night-beacon/in-the-darkest-nights-become-your-own-beacon-the-goals-you-fight-for/) Dark Night Beacon > [“Don’t be discouraged by life’s difficulties. With hope and determination, you can triumph over any difficulties.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/don-t-be-discouraged-by-life-s-difficulties-with-hope-and/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Fighting spirit is essence of success & a meaningful life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/fighting-spirit-is-essence-of-success-a-meaningful-life/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [“When he bet Julia that she wouldn’t dare to descend into the mine, located seventeen hundred feet below, it roused her fighting spirit and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/when-he-bet-julia-that-she-wouldn-t-dare-to-descend-into-the-mine/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [“In any situation, there is a sacred-solution.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/in-any-situation-there-is-a-sacred-solution/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Always look heavenward in any situation. Trust God to grant you the needed grace and strength to overcome the situation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/always-look-heavenward-in-any-situation-trust-god-to-grant-you-the/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Life is precious Life is a god sent gift and it is your duty to live it to the full. You might face several…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaile-stewart/life-is-precious-life-is-a-god-sent-gift-and-it-is-your-duty-to-live/) [Kaile Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaile-stewart/) > [“How could we have achieved the set-goal, without endurance to the end?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/how-could-we-have-achieved-the-set-goal-without-endurance-to-the-end/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Don’t believe the negative criticisms. You are capable beyond measure”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/don-t-believe-the-negative-criticisms-you-are-capable-beyond-measure/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I have realised I need to tone down and be easy at times. It is good to be competitive and have a fighting spirit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karishma-tanna/i-have-realised-i-need-to-tone-down-and-be-easy-at-times-it-is-good/) [Karishma Tanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karishma-tanna/) > [“Make plans for your new goals. And press towards achieving the goals with all your strength.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/make-plans-for-your-new-goals-and-press-towards-achieving-the-goals/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Hang on! God will strength in any act of your pursuit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/hang-on-god-will-strength-in-any-act-of-your-pursuit/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Only when you constantly live as though already a corpse (jōjū shinimi) will you be able to find freedom in the martial Way, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsunetomo-yamamoto/only-when-you-constantly-live-as-though-already-a-corpse-j-j-shinimi/) Tsunetomo Yamamoto [Browse all 171 Fighting spirit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting-spirit/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In temperament the Second Men were curiously different from the earlier species. The same factors were present, but in different proportions, and in far greater subordination to the considered will of the individual. Sexual vigour had returned. But sexual interest was strangely altered. Around the ancient core of delight in physical and mental contact with the opposite sex there now appeared a kind of innately sublimated, and no less poignant, appreciation of the unique physical and mental forms of all kinds of live things. It is difficult for less ample natures to imagine this expansion of the innate sexual interest; for to them it is not apparent that the lusty admiration which at first directs itself solely on the opposite sex is the appropriate attitude to all the beauties of flesh and spirit in beast and bird and plant. Parental interest also was strong in the new species, but it too was universalized. It had become a strong innate interest in, and a devotion to, all beings that were conceived as in need of help. In the earlier species this passionate spontaneous altruism occurred only in exceptional persons. In the new species, however, all normal men and women experienced altruism as a passion. And yet at the same time primitive parenthood had become tempered to a less possessive and more objective love, which among the First Men was less common than they themselves were pleased to believe. Assertiveness had also greatly changed. Formerly very much of a man's energy had been devoted to the assertion of himself as a private individual over against other individuals; and very much of his generosity had been at bottom selfish. But in the Second Men this competitive self-assertion, this championship of the most intimately known animal against all others, was greatly tempered. Formerly the major enterprises of society would never have been carried through had they not been able to annex to themselves the egoism of their champions. But in the Second Men the parts were reversed. Few individuals could ever trouble to exert themselves to the last ounce for merely private ends, save when those ends borrowed interest or import from some public enterprise. It was only his vision of a world-wide community of persons, and of his own function therein, that could rouse the fighting spirit in a man. Thus it was inwardly, rather than in outward physical characters, that the Second Men differed from the First. And in nothing did they differ more than in their native aptitude for cosmopolitanism. They had their tribes and nations. War was not quite unknown amongst them. But even in primitive times a man's most serious loyalty was directed toward the race as a whole; and wars were so hampered by impulses of kindliness toward the enemy that they were apt to degenerate into rather violent athletic contests, leading to an orgy of fraternization. It would not be true to say that the strongest interest of these beings was social. They were never prone to exalt the abstraction called the state, or the nation, or even the world-commonwealth. For their most characteristic factor was not mere gregariousness but something novel, namely an innate interest in personality, both in the actual diversity of persons and in the ideal of personal development. They had a remarkable power of vividly intuiting their fellows as unique persons with special needs. Individuals of the earlier species had suffered from an almost insurmountable spiritual isolation from one another. Not even lovers, and scarcely even the geniuses with special insight into personality, ever had anything like accurate vision of one another. But the Second Men, more intensely and accurately self-conscious, were also more intensely and accurately conscious of one another. 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