It is much more valuable to look for the strength in others. You can gain nothing by criticizing their imperfections.
Culture is an elevated expression of the inner voice which the different peoples of the Earth have heard in the depths of their being, a voice which conveys the vibrant compassion and wisdom of the cosmic life. For different cultures to engage in interaction is to catalyze each other's souls and foster mutual understanding.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Culture reflects the deep inner voice of humanity and promotes understanding between different peoples.
This quote by Daisaku Ikeda emphasizes that culture is a profound expression of our shared humanity, arising from the inner thoughts and feelings that resonate within us all. He suggests that when diverse cultures interact, they can inspire and enlighten one another, paving the way for greater compassion and wisdom in the world. Through this exchange, we not only recognize our differences but also celebrate the universal aspects of our existence, leading to a more harmonious global society.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about global unity, I could use this quote to highlight the importance of cultural exchange.
More from Daisaku Ikeda
All quotes →There’s no need for us to be held back by the past or how things have been so far. The important thing is what seeds we are sowing now for the future.
True love should be transformative; a process that amplifies our capacity to cherish not just one person but all people. It can make us stronger, lift us higher and deepen us as individuals. Only to the extent that we polish ourselves now can we hope to develop wonderful bonds of the heart in the future.
Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, or philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future. Let us always give something.
Just as a diamond can only be polished by another diamond, it is only through genuine, all-out engagement with others that people can polish their character, and help each other to reach greater heights.
Creating harmony amidst diversity is a fundamental issue of the twenty-first century. While celebrating the unique characteristics of different peoples and cultures, we have to create solidarity on the level of our common humanity, our common life. Without such solidarity, there will be no future for the human race. Diversity should not beget conflict in the world, but richness.
Similar quotes
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When I look at the system here and look at my position - not just as a basketball player, but when I look around me at the values of the people and the culture and compare them with the values of where I came from - I feel so blessed to be from Africa.
In real life there are indeed black people who have been in the middle class for generations, but in entertainment it's as if they don't exist.
The roots of India's soft power run deep. India's is a civilization that, over millennia, has offered refuge and, more importantly, religious and cultural freedom, to Jews, Parsis, several varieties of Christians, and Muslims.
I realized that you cannot think European and want to write or create something African. You have to think African in everything.
Culture is the intersection of people and life itself. Its how we deal with life, love, death, birth, disappointment... all of that is expressed in culture.