Civilization Quote by Sydney J. Harris
“Western civilization has not yet learned the lesson that the energy we expend in 'getting things done' is less important than the moral strength it takes to decide what is worth doing and what is right to do.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Moral Cost of Productivity, 1972
Moral strength in choosing worthwhile actions outweighs sheer effort.
In simple terms: Choose wisely, not just work hard.
Prioritize values over busyness.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- career planning
- policy making
- personal goals
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What tasks truly matter?
- How do you balance effort and ethics?
Hard work can be misdirected.