As much as the world has an instinct for evil and is a breeding ground for genocide, holocaust, slavery, racism, war, oppression, and injustice, the world has an even greateer instinct for goodness, rebirth, mercy, beauty, truth, freedom and love.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the dual nature of humanity, highlighting both our capacity for evil and our greater inclination towards goodness and love.
Desmond Tutu reflects on the contrasting aspects of human nature and the world we live in. While acknowledging the pervasive presence of evil—manifested through acts like genocide, slavery, and oppression—he holds up the notion that humanity possesses an even stronger instinct towards goodness and positive values such as mercy, beauty, and love. This perspective encourages hope and resilience in the face of adversity, suggesting that despite the darkness in the world, the potential for redemption and kindness prevails.
In practice
During a speech on human rights, this quote can inspire the audience to focus on the positive actions we can take to combat evil in the world.
The fossil reserves that have already been discovered exceed what can ever be safely used. Yet companies spend half a trillion dollars each year searching for more fuel. They should redirect this money toward developing clean energy solutions
When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.
Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are.
Religion is like a knife: you can either use it to cut bread, or stick in someone's back.
Gaza is going to test who believes in the worth of human beings.
Where we come from does not determine who we can become. What we look like places no limits on what we can achieve. We should all have the right to express ourselves, all have the right to be heard, all have the right to be what we can be: To reach for the sky and touch the stars. No matter who we are, no matter whether we are man or woman, or rich or poor: _x000D_ My voice, my right. My voice counts.
He who wishes to revenge injuries by reciprocal hatred will live in misery. But he who endeavors to drive away hatred by means of love, fights with pleasure and confidence; he resists equally one or many men, and scarcely needs at all the help of fortune. Those whom he conquers yield joyfully
It may be that religion is dead, and if it is, we had better know it and set ourselves to try to discover other sources of moral strength before it is too late.
There is little difference between the Zulu warrior who smeared bis body with lion's fat and the modern woman who dabs hers with expensive perfume. The one was trying to acquire the courage of the king of beasts, the other is attempting to acquire the irresistible sexuality of flowers. The underlying principle is the same.
Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.
Intellectual freedom is the only guarantee of a scientific - democratic approach to politics, economic development, and culture.
No one is born just once. If you're lucky, you'll emerge again in someone's arms; or unlucky, wake when the long tail of terror brushes the inside of your skull.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.