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
Memory can glean, but can never renew. It brings us joys faint as is the perfume of the flowers, faded and dried, of the summer that is gone.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
Where God tears great gaps we should not try to fill them with human words.
Dietrich BonhoefferRead
If one does away with the fact of the Resurrection, one also does away with the Cross, for both stand and fall together, and one would then have to find a new center for the whole message of the gospel.
Hans Urs Von BalthasarRead
The worst thing that can happen in a democracy - as well as in an individual's life - is to become cynical about the future and lose hope.
Hillary ClintonRead
Normally we do not like to think about death. We would rather think about life. Why reflect on death? When you start preparing for death you soon realize that you must look into your life now... and come to face the truth of your self. Death is like a mirror in which the true meaning of life is reflected.
Sogyal RinpocheRead
The more we can give in our silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life.
Mother TeresaRead