This civilization is rapidly passing away, however. Let us rejoice or else lament the fact as much as everyone of us likes; but do not let us shut our eyes to it.
Interpretation
Schumpeter points out that while civilization may be declining, we should acknowledge this reality instead of ignoring it.
In this quote, Joseph A. Schumpeter reflects on the transient nature of civilization, urging individuals to either celebrate or mourn its decline, but most importantly, to recognize and confront this truth rather than turning a blind eye to it. This statement prompts deep contemplation about societal changes and the acceptance of life’s impermanence.
In practice
In a discussion about societal changes, this quote can highlight the importance of facing the truth.
Capitalism stands its trial before judges who have the sentence of death in their pockets. They are going to pass it, whatever the defense they may hear; the only success victorious defense can possibly produce is a change in the indictment.
We always plan too much and always think too little.
The function of entrepreneurs is to reform or revolutionize the pattern of production by exploiting an invention or, more generally, an untried technological possibility for producing a new commodity or producing an old one in a new way, by opening up a new source of supply of materials or a new outlet for products, by reorganizing an industry and so on.
It is however always important to remember that the ability to see things in their correct perspective may be, and often is, divorced from the ability to reason correctly and vice versa. That is why a man may be a very good theorist and yet talk absolute nonsense.
Capitalism inevitably and by virtue of the very logic of its civilization creates, educates and subsidizes a vested interest in social unrest.
Recognition of the inevitability of comprehensive bureaucratization does not solve the problems that arise out of it.
He thought about how it might be to be, say, a fox confronted with an angry sheep. A sheep moreover, that could afford to employ wolves.
Every moment is as real as every other. Every 'now,' when you say, 'This is the real moment,' is as real as every other 'now' - and therefore all the moments are just out there. Just as every location in space is out there, I think every moment in time is out there, too.
The knowledge of the cross brings a conflict of interest between God who has become man and man who wishes to become God.
Appealing workplaces are to be avoided. One wants a room with no view, so imagination can meet memory in the dark.
But when the group is literally capable of changing our perceptions, and when to stand alone is to activate primitive, powerful, and unconscious feelings of rejection, then the health of these institutions seems far more vulnerable than we think.
Everything that we perceive around us is struggling towards freedom, from the atom to the man, from the insentient, lifeless particle of matter to the highest existence on earth, the human soul. The whole universe is in fact the result of this struggle for freedom.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.