Heroes are those who can somehow resist the power of the situation and act out of noble motives, or behave in ways that do not demean others when they easily can.
Interpretation
Heroes demonstrate the ability to rise above their circumstances and act kindly, despite potential temptations to do otherwise.
This quote by Philip Zimbardo encapsulates the essence of heroism as the capacity to resist negative influences in challenging situations. It emphasizes the importance of acting out of integrity and noble intentions, even when faced with the temptation to behave selfishly or harmfully towards others. True heroes are distinguished not just by their actions, but by their moral choices in difficult times.
In practice
In a graduation speech emphasizing values, this quote could inspire students to act nobly.
Before I knew that a man could kill a man, because it happens all the time. Now I know that even the person with whom you've shared food, or whom you've slept, even he can kill you with no trouble. The closest neighbor can kill you with his teeth: that is what I have Learned since the genocide, and my eyes no longer gaze the same on the face of the world.
Boys' brains are being digitally rewired for change, novelty, excitement and constant arousal. That means they're totally out of sync in traditional classes, which are analog, static, interactively passive.
Evil is knowing better, but willingly doing worse.
Time perspective is one of the most powerful influences on all of human behavior. We're trying to show how people become biased to being exclusively past-, present- or future-oriented.
Many cults start off with high ideals that get corrupted by leaders or their board of advisors who become power-hungry and dominate and control members' lives. No group with high ideals starts off as a 'cult'; they become one when their errant ways are exposed.
Heroes are Ordinary People whose social action is Extra-Ordinary/ who ACT when others are passive, who give up EGO-centrism for SOCIO-centrism.
what you hear in my voice is fury, not suffering. Anger, not moral authority
Many people use the words 'death defying' or 'death wishing' when they talk about wire-walking. Many people have asked me: 'So do you have a death wish?' After doing a beautiful walk, I feel like punching them in the nose. It's indecent. I have a life wish.
I have sworn eternal opposition to slavery, and by the blessing of God, I will never go back.
And only weaklings...who lack courage and the power to feel they're right when the whole world says they're wrong, ever lose.
I was paralyzed from the chest down when I was 19, so I kind of put my head together about dying, and I think I've come to terms with it.
Being a rapper as a woman is not a good thing in Afghanistan. I kind of put my life in danger whenever I go somewhere to talk about women's rights or make music, rap, or have interviews.
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