The whole of the 20th century has always put the car at the center. So by putting the pedestrian first, you create these livable places, I think, with more attraction and interest and character.
Prince CharlesRead
I find myself born into this particular position. I'm determined to make the most of it. And to do whatever I can to help. And I hope I leave things behind a little bit better than I found them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of making a positive impact on the world and leaving it better than we found it.
Prince Charles reflects on his awareness of the circumstances into which he was born, expressing a strong determination to improve those conditions and assist others. This quote highlights a sense of responsibility and the desire to contribute positively to society, suggesting that individuals should strive to enhance the world around them in whatever ways they can.
Themes
ResponsibilityImpactBettermentDeterminismLegacy
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech to young leaders about making meaningful contributions.
More from Prince Charles
All quotes →Climate change should be seen as the greatest challenge to face man and treated as a much bigger priority in the United Kingdom.
Prince CharlesRead
If you think about the impact of climate change, [it should be how] a doctor would deal with the problem. A scientific hypothesis is tested to absolute destruction, but medicine can't wait. If a doctor sees a child with a fever, he can't wait for [endless] tests. He has to act on what is there. The risk of delay is so enormous that we can't wait until we are absolutely sure the patient is dying.
Prince CharlesRead
We might be more inclined to think about the longer term if we were more aware of what is happening around us. Perhaps daily weather forecasts could include a few basic facts about the Earth's vital signs or details of where climate change is increasing the likelihood of damaging weather?
Prince CharlesRead
The sustainability revolution will, hopefully, be the third major social and economic turning point in human history, following the Neolithic Revolution - moving from hunter-gathering to farming - and the Industrial Revolution
Prince CharlesRead
Any difficulties which the world faces today will be as nothing compared to the full effects which global warming will have on the world-wide economy.
Prince CharlesRead
Similar quotes
And I suddenly think, as I look across the table at him, that these are the days as they will be. This is the future as we see it. The swerve and the static. The confidence and the doubt.
Colum MccannRead
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.
Desmond TutuRead
I believe in God the way I believe in quarks. People whose business it is to know about quantum physics or religion tell me they have good reason to believe that quarks and God exist. And they tell me that if I wanted to devote my life to learning what they've learned, I'd find quarks and God just like they did.
Mary Doria RussellRead
The public good is in nothing more essentially interested, than in the protection of every individual's private rights.
William BlackstoneRead
Many an individual has turned from the mean, personal, acquisitive point of view to one that sees society as a whole and works for its benefit. If there has been such a change in one person, there can be the same change in many.
Mahatma GandhiRead
In other words, we are never freer than when we become most ourselves, most human, most just, most excellent, and the like.
Os GuinnessRead