It is much more valuable to look for the strength in others. You can gain nothing by criticizing their imperfections.
Daisaku IkedaRead
Humanity has experienced many revolutionary changes over the course of history: revolutions in agriculture, in science, industrial production, as well as numerous political revolutions. But these have all been limited to the external aspects of our individual and collective lives.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that while humanity has undergone significant external changes, the internal, personal transformations are often overlooked.
Daisaku Ikeda's quote reflects on the various revolutionary changes that humankind has faced throughout history, such as advancements in agriculture, science, and industrial production, as well as political upheavals. However, Ikeda points out that these changes primarily impact our external lives, suggesting that true transformation must also occur within our inner selves and collective consciousness to achieve deeper and more meaningful progress.
Themes
HumanityChangeTransformationRevolutionInternalExternal
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about personal growth and social change.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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