Football strategy does not originate in a scrimmage: it is useless to expect solutions in a political campaign.
Walter LippmannRead
No mariner ever enters upon a more uncharted sea than does the average human being born in the 20th century. Our ancestors know their way from birth through eternity; we are puzzled about the day after tomorrow.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the uncertainty and complexity of modern life compared to the clear paths known by previous generations.
Walter Lippmann's quote suggests that individuals born in the 20th century face a unique and unpredictable journey through life. Unlike our ancestors, who had defined paths and expectations based on tradition and history, contemporary individuals grapple with uncertainty about the future, often feeling confused about immediate choices rather than the long-term journey of life.
Themes
UncertaintyFutureModern LifeJourneyPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a keynote speech about embracing change in the 21st century, this quote highlights our evolving challenges.
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The tendency of the casual mind is to pick out or stumble upon a sample which supports or defies its prejudices, and then to make it the representative of a whole class.
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The private citizen, beset by partisan appeals for the loan of his Public Opinion, will soon see, perhaps, that these appeals are not a compliment to his intelligence, but an imposition on his good nature and an insult to his sense of evidence.
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