For many years, I have lived uncomfortably with the belief that most planning and architectural design suffers for lack of real and basic purpose. The ultimate purpose, it seems to me, must be the improvement of mankind.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes that architectural design should focus on serving the deeper purpose of improving human life.
James Rouse believes that a significant flaw in planning and architectural design is the absence of a clear, fundamental purpose. He argues that the ultimate aim of these disciplines should be to enhance the quality of life for humanity, suggesting that effective design is inherently tied to its impact on people's well-being.
In practice
In a conference on sustainable architecture, one might reference this quote to stress the importance of purpose-driven design.
I have assured His Majesty that our war is against evil, not against Islam. There are thousands of Muslims who proudly call themselves Americans, and they know what I know - that the Muslim faith is based upon peace and love and compassion. The exact opposite of the teachings of the al Qaeda organization, which is based upon evil and hate and destruction.
It is bad policy to regulate everything... where things may better regulate themselves and can be better promoted by private exertions; but it is no less bad policy to let those things alone which can only be promoted by interfering social power.
Thou art a man God is no more Thy own humanity Learn to adore
If you begin by saying, 'Thou shalt not lie,' there is no longer any possibility of political action.
You accept certain unlovely things about yourself and manage to live with them. The atonement for such an acceptance is that you make allowances for others - that you cleanse yourself of the sin of self-righteousness.
Undeserved praise causes more pangs of conscience later than undeserved blame, but probably only for this reason, that our power of judgment are more completely exposed by being over praised than by being unjustly underestimated.
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