Good souls many will one day be horrified at the things they now believe of God.
George MacdonaldRead
The nation that will insist upon drawing a broad line of demarcation between the fighting man and the thinking man is liable to find its fighting done by fools and its thinking by cowards.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Separating action from thought can lead to foolish outcomes in both realms.
This quote emphasizes the importance of integrating intellectual thought with action, suggesting that a society that distinctly separates the roles of fighters and thinkers risks producing inept individuals in both spheres. The fighting man, representing those who take action, and the thinking man, symbolizing those who analyze and reflect, must coexist and inform each other to cultivate a balanced and effective society. Without this synergy, both realms may suffer from incompetence, either through foolish actions or cowardly inaction.
Themes
ActionThoughtSocietyBalanceFoolishness
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of collaboration between decision-makers and implementers, one might cite this quote.
Similar quotes
As an individual who undertakes to live by borrowing, soon finds his original means devoured by interest, and next no one left to borrow from - so must it be with a government.
Abraham LincolnRead
I think that there is far too much work done in the world, that immense harm is caused by the belief that work is virtuous, and that what needs to be preached in modern industrial countries is quite different from what always has been preached.
Bertrand RussellRead
Something like fear chilled me as I sat there in the small hours alone-I say alone, for one who sits by a sleeper is indeed alone; perhaps more alone than he can realise.
H. P. LovecraftRead
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
Thomas AquinasRead
The destiny of the woman must be shaped to a large extent on her own conception of her spiritual imperative and her place in society.
Sandra Day O'ConnorRead