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One fact stands out in bold relief in the history of man's attempts for betterment. That is that when compulsion is used, only resentment is aroused, and the end is not gained. Only through moral suasion and appeal to man's reason can a movement succeed.
Samuel Gompers
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes that positive change cannot be forced but must be achieved through persuasion and reason.

Samuel Gompers highlights the futility of using force or compulsion in efforts to inspire improvement in society. Instead, he advocates for engaging individuals' sense of reason and appealing to their moral convictions, suggesting that true and lasting change comes from voluntary support rather than resentment generated by coercion.

Themes

ChangePersuasionReasonMoral SuasionBetterment

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech on leadership, you could use this quote to emphasize the importance of building teams through understanding rather than force.

More from Samuel Gompers

Doing for people what they can and ought to do for themselves is a dangerous experiment. In the last analysis, the welfare of the workers depends upon their own initiative. Whatever is done under the guise of philanthropy or social morality which in any way lessens initiative is the greatest crime that can be committed against the toilers. Let social busybodies and professional "public morals experts" in their fads reflect upon the perils they rashly invite under this pretense of social welfare.
Samuel GompersRead
There may be here and there a worker who for certain reasons unexplainable to us does not join a union of labor. That is his right. It is his legal right, no matter how morally wrong he may be. It is his legal right, and no one can or dare question his exercise of that legal right.
Samuel GompersRead
Time is the most valuable thing on earth: time to think, time to act, time to extend our fraternal relations, time to become better men, time to become better women, time to become better and more independent citizens.
Samuel GompersRead
There is not a right too long denied to which we do not aspire in order to achieve; there is not a wrong too long endured that we are not determined to abolish.
Samuel GompersRead
Show me the country that has no strikes and I'll show you the country in which there is no liberty.
Samuel GompersRead

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