Desire Quote by Rutger Bregman
““I’m heartened by our dissatisfaction, because dissatisfaction is a world away from indifference. The widespread nostalgia, the yearning for a past that never really was, suggests that we still have ideals, even if we have buried them alive. True progress begins with something no knowledge economy can produce: wisdom about what it means to live well. We have to do what great thinkers like John Stuart Mill, Bertrand Russell, and John Maynard Keynes were already advocating 100 years ago: to “value ends above means and prefer the good to the useful.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Future of Humanity” by Rutger Bregman, 2023
Dissatisfaction signals lingering ideals and drives pursuit of wisdom beyond mere utility, urging a shift to valuing ends over means.
In simple terms: Being dissatisfied shows we still care about deeper values.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize wisdom over efficiency.
Themes
values
wisdom
progress
idealism
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- public policy
- education reform
- civic engagement
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethical economics
human flourishing
Questions to Reflect On
- What ideals have you suppressed?
- How can societies reward wisdom over productivity?
A Different Perspective
Wisdom is hard to quantify and may clash with profit-driven motives.
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