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The greatest task before civilization at present is to make machines what they ought to be, the slaves, instead of the masters of men.
Havelock Ellis
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of controlling technology rather than being controlled by it.

Havelock Ellis's quote highlights the critical challenge society faces in ensuring that machines serve humanity rather than dominate it. As technology advances, it is crucial to maintain human oversight and ethical considerations to prevent becoming subservient to the very creations meant to enhance our lives.

Themes

TechnologyControlHumanityMachinesCivilization

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate on technology's role in our lives, this quote can help illustrate the need for responsible innovation.

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The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands.
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Life is livable because we know that wherever we go most of the people we meet will be restrained in their actions towards us by an almost instinctive network of taboos.
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To live remains an art which everyone must learn, and which no one can teach.
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The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw.
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Every man of genius sees the world at a different angle from his fellows, and there is his tragedy.
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It is on our failures that we base a new and different and better success.
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