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That country is the richest which nourishes the greatest number of noble and happy human beings.
John Ruskin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True wealth of a nation is found in the well-being of its citizens.

John Ruskin's quote emphasizes that the true measure of a nation's richness is not just in its material wealth, but in the number of happy and noble individuals it nurtures. It suggests that the quality of life and the ethical and emotional well-being of the population are fundamental to the prosperity and true richness of a society.

Themes

WealthHappinessWell-BeingSocietyNobility

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can inspire a community service organization to focus on the well-being of individuals rather than just economic metrics.

More from John Ruskin

Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.
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In health of mind and body, men should see with their own eyes, hear and speak without trumpets, walk on their feet, not on wheels, and work and war with their arms, not with engine-beams, nor rifles warranted to kill twenty men at a shot before you can see them.
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You talk of the scythe of Time, and the tooth of Time: I tell you, Time is scytheless and toothless; it is we who gnaw like the worm - we who smite like the scythe. It is ourselves who abolish - ourselves who consume: we are the mildew, and the flame.
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To be able to ask a question clearly is two-thirds of the way to getting it answered.
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See that your children be taught, not only the labors of the earth, but the loveliness of it.
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A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.
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