The real problems of our planet are not economic or technical, they are philosophical. The philosophy of unbridled materialism is being challenged by events.
E. F. SchumacherRead
The generosity of the Earth allows us to feed all mankind; we know enough about ecology to keep the Earth a healthy place; there is enough room on the Earth, and there are enough materials, so that everybody can have adequate shelter; we are quite competent enough to produce sufficient supplies of necessities so that no one need live in misery.
Interpretation
The Earth has the resources to support all human needs if used wisely.
E. F. Schumacher emphasizes the abundance of Earth's resources and our capacity to use them efficiently to ensure that every person can live a dignified life. The quote highlights the potential for ecological knowledge and human ingenuity to create a world where nobody has to suffer from lack, calling for a responsible and generous approach to how we treat our planet and its resources.
In practice
In a speech on environmental conservation, one might quote Schumacher to emphasize the importance of sustainability.
The real problems of our planet are not economic or technical, they are philosophical. The philosophy of unbridled materialism is being challenged by events.
The substance of man cannot be measured by Gross National Product.
The printing press is either the greatest blessing or the greatest curse of modern times, sometimes one forgets which it is.
By means of trees, wildlife could be conserved, pollution decreased, and the beauty of our landscapes enhanced. This is the way, or at least one of the ways, to spiritual, moral, and cultural regeneration.
We still have to learn how to live peacefully, not only with our fellow men but also with nature and, above all, with those Higher Powers which have made nature and have made us; for, assuredly, we have not come about by accident and certainly have not made ourselves
The heart of the matter, as I see it, is the stark fact that world poverty is primarily a problem of two million villages, and thus a problem of two thousand million villagers.
The bigger a state becomes the more liberty diminishes.
To be ourselves we must have ourselves – possess, if need be re-possess, our life-stories. We must “recollect” ourselves, recollect the inner drama, the narrative, of ourselves. A man needs such a narrative, a continuous inner narrative, to maintain his identity, his self.
From principles is derived probability, but truth or certainty is obtained only from facts.
Haven’t you heard of the music of the spheres?” asked the dragon. “It’s the music that space makes to itself. All the spirits inside all the stars are singing. I’m a star spirit. I sing too. The music of the spheres is what makes space so peaceful.
The rationality of the ruled is always the weapon of the rulers.
Painful memories didn't just ease back in-they shoved the door open hard, all of them and all at once
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