Do you want to be a man of today or a man of tomorrow?
Interpretation
The quote encourages individuals to think about their aspirations and the impact of their actions on the future.
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's quote challenges us to consider whether we want to be defined by our present circumstances or to strive for a greater vision that shapes the future. It emphasizes the importance of ambition and planning for a legacy, urging us to be forward-thinking individuals who contribute meaningfully to societal growth and progress.
In practice
A motivational speaker might quote this in an address to young professionals to inspire them to take proactive steps in their careers.
Would not obeying to my mother's warnings, who is at least 25 years older than me, be returning to the past? And rebelling against her would mean ruining my mother's, who, I am convinced that, is a virtuous high woman, heart and evaluations. I do not find this right, either.
I have no religion, and at times I wish all religions at the bottom of the sea. He is a weak ruler who needs religion to uphold his government; it is as if he would catch his people in a trap. My people are going to learn the principles of democracy, the dictates of truth and the teachings of science. Superstition must go. Let them worship as they will; every man can follow his own conscience, provided it does not interfere with sane reason or bid him against the liberty of his fellow-men.
God is my witness that up to now, my only aspiration in life is to be a useful element within the army! I have for long been convinced that, to safeguard the country and give happiness to the people, it is necessary first of all to prove once more to the world that our army is still the old Turkish army.
The necessary thing for anyone to be happy and contented as long as he lives is working for the ones who will come after him rather than working for himself... One can reach the true delight and happiness in the life only by working for the existence, honor, and happiness of the future generations.
On the meeting point of two worlds, the ornament of Turkish homeland, the treasure of Turkish history, the city cherished by the Turkish nation, Δ°stanbul, has its place in the hearts of all citizens.
A nation which makes the final sacrifice for life and freedom does not get beaten.
Julian once wrote that coincidences are the scars of fate. There are no coincidences, Daniel. We are puppets of our subconscious desires.
I hadn't gotten old enough yet to realize that living sends a person not into the future but back into the past, to childhood and before birth, finally, to commune with the dead. You get older, you puff on the stairs, you enter the body of your father. From there it's only a quick jump to your grandparents, and then before you know it you're time traveling. In this life we grow backwards.
She was without any power, because she was without any desire of command over herself.
For neither good nor evil can last for ever; and so it follows that as evil has lasted a long time, good must now be close at hand.
We live on the brink of disaster because we do not know how to let life alone. We do not respect the living and fruitful contradictions and paradoxes of which true life is full.
I think that God, in creating man, somewhat overestimated his ability.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.