The conqueror is regarded with awe; the wise man commands our respect; but it is only the benevolent man that wins our affection.
William Dean HowellsRead
If we like a man's dream, we call him a reformer; if we don't like his dream, we call him a crank.
Interpretation
Perceptions of dreams and ambitions vary based on societal approval.
This quote highlights the subjective nature of how society views individuals with dreams or aspirations. If a person's vision aligns with what is accepted or desired by others, they are seen as a reformer striving for positive change. Conversely, if their ideas are unconventional or not well-received, they may be labeled as a crank, indicating that societal acceptance can shape the way people are classified based on their dreams and vision.
In practice
This quote can be used in discussions about innovation and how new ideas are perceived in society.
I was not an anthropology student prior to the war. I took it up as part of a personal readjustment following some bewildering experiences as an infantryman and later as a prisoner of war in Dresden, Germany. The science of the Study of Man has been extremely satisfactory from that personal standpoint.
Every object and being in the universe is a jar overflowing with wisdom and beauty,a drop of the Tigris that cannot be contained by any skin. Every jarful spills and makes the earth more shining, as though covered in satin... Make peace with the universe. Take joy in it. It will turn to gold. Resurrection will be now. Every moment, a new beauty.
Nothing is more characteristically juvenile than contempt for juvenility. . . youth's characteristic chronological snobbery.
No one is to blame for our miseries but ourselves.
But do you remember Gandalf’s words: Even Gollum may have something yet to do? But for him, Sam, I could not have destroyed the Ring. The Quest would have been in vain, even at the bitter end. So let us forgive him! For the Quest is achieved, and now all is over. I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam
I was trundling around with my inadequacies, and inner pain and loneliness. I yearned, desperately, to be something. I yearned to get out from where I was ... some deep discontent within myself, actually some deep dislike of myself.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.