What is the essence of theosophy? It is the fact that man, being himself divine, can know the divinity whose life he shares. As an inevitable corollary to this supreme truth comes the fact of the brotherhood of man.
Annie BesantRead
Someone ought to do it, but why should I? Someone ought to do it, so why not I? Between these two sentences lie whole centuries of moral evolution.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote challenges the distinction between moral obligation and personal responsibility. It highlights the evolution of ethical thinking and action.
Annie Besant's quote reflects a profound moral inquiry into the nature of responsibility and the evolution of ethics over time. The first part suggests that while others might recognize a duty, one may hesitate to act on it, leading to inaction. In contrast, the second part presents a shift in perspective, advocating for personal agency and the belief that if something needs to be done, one should take the initiative to do it. This encapsulates a broader philosophical discussion about the intersection of individual choice and collective moral obligation, demonstrating how societal values can shape personal ethics.
Themes
ResponsibilityMoralityActionEthicsEvolution
In practice
Example use cases
During a community meeting, someone could use this quote to encourage volunteerism and personal initiative.
More from Annie Besant
All quotes βNo durable things are built on violent passion. Nature grows her plants in silence and in darkness, and only when they have become strong do they put their heads above the ground.
Annie BesantRead
Death consists, indeed, in a repeated process of unrobing, or unsheathing. The immortal part of man shakes off from itself, one after the other, its outer casings, and - as the snake from its skin, the butterfly from its chrysalis - emerges from one after another, passing into a higher state of consciousness.
Annie BesantRead
Let Indian history be set side by side with Europe history with what there is of the latter century by century and let us see whether India need blush at the comparison.
Annie BesantRead
My own life in India, since I came to it in 1893 to make it my home, has been devoted to one purpose, to give back to India her ancient freedom.
Annie BesantRead
Knowledge is essential to conquest; only according to our ignorance are we helpless. Thought creates character. Character can dominate conditions. Will creates circumstances and environment.
Annie BesantRead
Similar quotes
Wrath, unlike love, is not one of the intrinsic perfections of God. Rather, it is a function of God's holiness against sin. Where there is no sin, there is no wrath-but there will always be love in God. Where God in His holiness confronts His image-bearers in their rebellion, there must be wrath, or God is not the jealous God He claims to be, and His holiness is impugned. The price of diluting God's wrath is diminishing God's holiness.
D. A. CarsonRead
Many demons are in woods, in waters, in wildernesses, and in dark poolly places ready to hurt and prejudice people; some are also in the thick black clouds, which cause hail, lightning and thunder, and poison the air, the pastures and grounds.
Martin LutherRead
If you're going to have a story, have a big story, or none at all.
Joseph CampbellRead
If a man could understand all the horror of the lives of ordinary people who are turning around in a circle of insignificant interests and insignificant aims, if he could understand what they are losing, he would understand that there can only be one thing that is serious for him - to escape from the general law, to be free. What can be serious for a man in prison who is condemned to death? Only one thing: How to save himself, how to escape: nothing else is serious.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
Apply yourself to solitude. One who is given to solitude knows things as they really are.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Morality and values depend on the existence of conscious minds - and specifically on the fact that such minds can experience various forms of well-being and suffering in this universe.
Sam HarrisRead