It is much more valuable to look for the strength in others. You can gain nothing by criticizing their imperfections.
Daisaku IkedaRead
Self-centered anger generates evil, but wrath at social injustice becomes the driving force for reform. Strong language that censures and combats a great evil often awakens adverse reactions from society, but this must not intimidate those who believe they are right. A lion is a lion because he roars.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Anger can cause harm, but righteous anger against injustice can inspire positive change.
This quote by Daisaku Ikeda emphasizes the dual nature of anger; while self-centered anger can lead to negative outcomes, anger that responds to social injustice can serve as a powerful catalyst for reform. It acknowledges that strong and passionate language aimed at challenging significant evils may provoke backlash, but advocates maintaining conviction and courage in the face of such adversity, suggesting that just as a lion roars to assert its presence, those fighting for justice must also express their rightful indignation.
Themes
AngerInjusticeReformCourageSocial Change
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on civil rights, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of standing up against injustice.
More from Daisaku Ikeda
All quotes →There’s no need for us to be held back by the past or how things have been so far. The important thing is what seeds we are sowing now for the future.
Daisaku IkedaRead
True love should be transformative; a process that amplifies our capacity to cherish not just one person but all people. It can make us stronger, lift us higher and deepen us as individuals. Only to the extent that we polish ourselves now can we hope to develop wonderful bonds of the heart in the future.
Daisaku IkedaRead
Let us give something to each person we meet: joy, courage, hope, assurance, or philosophy, wisdom, a vision for the future. Let us always give something.
Daisaku IkedaRead
Just as a diamond can only be polished by another diamond, it is only through genuine, all-out engagement with others that people can polish their character, and help each other to reach greater heights.
Daisaku IkedaRead
Creating harmony amidst diversity is a fundamental issue of the twenty-first century. While celebrating the unique characteristics of different peoples and cultures, we have to create solidarity on the level of our common humanity, our common life. Without such solidarity, there will be no future for the human race. Diversity should not beget conflict in the world, but richness.
Daisaku IkedaRead
Similar quotes
How do you move on? You move on when your heart finally understands that there is no turning back.
J. R. R. TolkienRead
From this vision of the role of the United Nations in the next century flow three key priorities for the future: eradicating poverty, preventing conflict and promoting democracy.
Kofi AnnanRead
When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.
Alexander Graham BellRead
Please, please stop saying that Ukraine is a corrupt country, because from now, it's not true. We want to change this image.
Volodymyr ZelenskyRead
My message is really that racism has no place in the hearts and minds of our children.
Ruby BridgesRead
Movements have narratives. They tell stories, because they are not just about rearranging economics and politics. They also rearrange meaning. And they're not just about redistributing the goods. They're about figuring out what is good.
Marshall GanzRead