QuoteProject
The American culture ideal of the "self-made-man," of everyone "standing on his own feet" seemed as tragic a picture as the initiative-destroying dependence on a benevolent despot. He felt and perceived clearly that we all need continuous help from each other, and that this type of interdependence is the greatest challenge to maturity of individual and group functioning.
Kurt Lewin
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of interdependence over individualism.

Kurt Lewin critiques the American cultural ideal of the 'self-made man', arguing that the notion of complete independence is not only unrealistic but also detrimental. He suggests that true maturity, both individually and in groups, comes from recognizing our need for mutual support and cooperation, rather than relying solely on one's own efforts or a dominating authority.

Themes

InterdependenceCooperationSupportIndividualismMaturity

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about teamwork, you could use this quote to highlight the importance of collaboration.

More from Kurt Lewin

The history of acceptance of new theories frequently shows the following steps: At first the new idea is treated as pure nonsense, not worth looking at. Then comes a time when a multitude of contradictory objections are raised, such as: the new theory is too fancy, or merely a new terminology; it is not fruitful, or simply wrong. Finally a state is reached when everyone seems to claim that he had always followed this theory. This usually marks the last state before general acceptance.
Kurt LewinRead
Learning is more effective when it is an active rather than a passive process.
Kurt LewinRead
If you want truly to understand something, try to change it.
Kurt LewinRead
Fortunately I experienced Max Wertheimer's teaching in Berlin and collaborated for over a decade with Wolfgang Köhler. I need not emphasize my debts to these outstanding personalities. The fundamental ideas of Gestalt theory are the foundation of all our investigations in the field of the will, of affection, and of the personality.
Kurt LewinRead

Similar quotes

We cannot change our past. We can not change the fact that people act in a certain way. We can not change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.
Charles R. SwindollRead
If we lived in a state where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us saintly. But since we see that avarice, anger, pride and stupidity commonly profit far beyond charity, modesty, justice and thought, perhaps we must stand fast a little, even at the risk of being heroes.
Thomas MoreRead
Neoliberalism has left Britain's boss classes drunk on triumphalism, paying themselves record salaries and bonuses while their workers are imprisoned by poverty and insecurity. It was never going to last.
Owen JonesRead
Temptation said that we all dream of committing crimes, but that only the unbalanced make that macabre idea a reality.
Paulo CoelhoRead
I cannot think that we are useless or God would not have created us. There is one God looking down on us all. We are all the children of one God. The sun, the darkness, the winds are all listening to what we have to say.
GeronimoRead
I can doubt everything, except one thing, and that is the very fact that I doubt. Simply put - I think, therefore I am
Rene DescartesRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.