Civilization is first of all a moral thing. Without truth, respect for duty, love of neighbor, and virtue, everything is destroyed. The morality of a society is alone the basis of civilization.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires but according to our powers.
Interpretation
What this quote means
One should focus on being helpful to others based on their capabilities rather than personal desires.
This quote by Henri Frederic Amiel emphasizes the importance of contributing to society and helping others, not just in a way that fulfills our own wishes but in alignment with our abilities. It suggests that true fulfillment comes from the difference we make based on what we can offer, rather than what we merely want to achieve for ourselves.
Themes
DutyServiceUsefulnessCapabilitiesContribution
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about volunteerism.
More from Henri Frederic Amiel
All quotes βMan never knows what he wants; he aspires to penetrate mysteries and as soon as he has, wants to re-establish them. Ignorance irritates him and knowledge cloys.
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Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.
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True love is that which ennobles the personality, fortifies the heart, and sanctifies the existence.
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It is by teaching that we teach ourselves, by relating that we observe, by affirming that we examine, by showing that we look, by writing that we think, by pumping that we draw water into the well.
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