The spirit of man is more important than mere physical strength, and the spiritual fiber of a nation than its wealth.
Interpretation
The essence of humanity and spirituality is more valuable than physical power or material wealth.
This quote emphasizes the importance of inner strength and spiritual values over external attributes like physical prowess or financial resources. It suggests that the character and moral fiber of individuals and nations define their true strength and worth, highlighting that material wealth cannot replace essential human qualities.
In practice
During a speech on the importance of community service, one could use this quote to highlight the value of inner character.
If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
When pressure mounts and strain increases everyone begins to show the weaknesses in his makeup. It is up to the Commander to conceal his: above all to conceal doubt, fear, and distrust.
Some years ago I became president of Columbia University and learned within 24 hours to be ready to speak at the drop of a hat, and I learned something more, the trustees were expected to be ready to speak at the passing of the hat.
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
Wasn't he the one who said you shouldn't trust anybody who calls himself an ordinar man? - Naoko
Understanding the often unconscious nature of genetic control is the first step toward understanding that—in many realms, not just sex—we’re all puppets, and our best hope for even partial liberation is to try to decipher the logic of the puppeteer.
Chastity, or cleanness of heart, holds a glorious and distinguished place among the virtues, because she, alone, enables man to see God; hence Truth itself said, 'Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.'
I repeat that the poor, the sufferers from leprosy, the rejected, the alcoholics, whom we serve, are beautiful people. Many of them have wonderful personalities. The experience which we have by serving them, we must pass on to people who have not had that wonderful experience.
Those have a short Lent who owe money to be paid at Easter.
At the back of my mind I had a sense of us sitting about waiting for some terrible event, and then I would remember that it had already happened.
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