Without a global revolution in the sphere of human consciousness a more humane society will not emerge.
Vaclav HavelRead
The real test of a man is not when he plays the role that he wants for himself but when he plays the role destiny has for him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A person's true character is revealed not by their aspirations but by how they respond to life's challenges.
This quote by Vaclav Havel emphasizes that the true measure of a person's character is not only determined by the roles they choose for themselves but significantly by their ability to accept and fulfill the responsibilities that life and destiny impose upon them. It suggests that real integrity and strength are shown in how one faces unexpected circumstances and challenges, indicating a deeper understanding of life's unforeseen obligations.
Themes
CharacterDestinyResponsibilityChallengesIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire individuals during a team meeting to reflect on how they meet unexpected challenges at work.
More from Vaclav Havel
All quotes βOwnership is not a vice, not something to be ashamed of, but rather a commitment, and an instrument by which the general good can be served.
Vaclav HavelRead
In my opinion, theater shouldn't give advice to citizens.
Vaclav HavelRead
Sometimes I wonder if suicides aren't in fact sad guardians of the meaning of life.
Vaclav HavelRead
The exercise of power is determined by thousands of interactions between the world of the powerful and that of the powerless, all the more so because these worlds are never divided by a sharp line: everyone has a small part of himself in both.
Vaclav HavelRead
Human rights, human freedoms... and human dignity have their deepest roots somewhere outside the perceptible world... while the state is a human creation, human beings are the creation of God.
Vaclav HavelRead
Similar quotes
When a violent minority that crosses color lines comes to believe that killing those you know or do not know is a reasonable solution to problems, we are in need of another vision.
Stanley CrouchRead
It seems to me that television is exactly like a gun. Your enjoyment of it is determined by which end of it you're on.
Alfred HitchcockRead
This is reality, whether you like it or not--all those frivolities of summer, the light and shadow, the living mask of green that trembled over everything, they were lies, and this is what was underneath. This is the truth.
Willa CatherRead
Every murderer is probably somebody's old friend.
Agatha ChristieRead
If multiculturalism succeeds in making us a nation of independently empowered tribes, each tribe will be deprived of the comfort of victimhood and be forced to confront human limitation for what it is: a fixture of life.
Jonathan FranzenRead
We can see the same spirit in everybody only when we know we are that spirit, Atman or Self. Only a person who has understood his own Self can see that Self in everybody.
Swami SatchidanandaRead