Most persons are so absorbed in the contemplation of the outside world that they are wholly oblivious to what is passing on within themselves. The premature death of millions is primarily traceable to this cause. Even among those who exercise care, it is a common mistake to avoid imaginary, and ignore the real dangers. And what is true of an individual also applies, more or less, to a people as a whole.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and introspection over external distractions.
Nikola Tesla highlights that many individuals are so focused on the external world that they neglect their inner thoughts and feelings, leading to a lack of self-awareness. He suggests that this neglect can result in widespread consequences, including a metaphorical death of the spirit, as people often prioritize imagined threats over genuine risks, both personally and collectively. This perspective reminds us that understanding ourselves is crucial to navigating life effectively.
In practice
During a workshop about personal development, one could share this quote to encourage self-reflection.
Even matter called inorganic, believed to be dead, responds to irritants and gives unmistakable evidence of a living principle within. Everything that exists, organic or inorganic, animated or inert, is susceptible to stimulus from the outside.
Our senses enable us to perceive only a minute portion of the outside world.
Every living being is an engine geared to the wheelwork of the universe. Though seemingly affected only by its immediate surrounding, the sphere of external influence extends to infinite distance.
The history of science shows that theories are perishable. With every new truth that is revealed we get a better understanding of Nature and our conceptions and views are modified.
The Secretary of Hygiene or Physical Culture will be far more important in the cabinet of the President of the United States who holds office in the year 2035 than the Secretary of War.
I am unwilling to accord to some small−minded and jealous individuals the satisfaction of having thwarted my efforts. These men are to me nothing more than microbes of a nasty disease. My project was retarded by laws of nature. The world was not prepared for it. It was too far ahead of time, but the same laws will prevail in the end and make it a triumphal success.
God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
(The difficulty over the question of eternal torments lies in) how it is irreconcilable with the Goodness of God, to put any Persons at all upon a necessity of making such an Option, wherein if they choose amiss, the Misery they incur must be irrevocable.
Most affectations conceal something eventually, even though they don't in the beginning.
I see that I've become a really bad correspondent. It's not that I don't think of you. You come into my thoughts often. But when you do it appears to me that I owe you a particularly grand letter. And so you end in the "warehouse of good intentions": "Can't do it now." "Then put it on hold." This is one's strategy for coping with old age, and with death--because one can't die with so many obligations in storage. Our clever species, so fertile and resourceful in denying its weaknesses.
The way we measure productivity is flawed. People checking their BlackBerry over dinner is not the measure of productivity.
No form of liberty is worth a darn [sic] which doesn't give us the right to do wrong now and then.
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