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.
The existence of the soldier, next to capital punishment, is the most grievous vestige of barbarism which survives among men.
Charity never humiliated him who profited from it, nor ever bound him by the chains of gratitude, since it was not to him but to God that the gift was made.
Feminism began to dawn on my brain belatedly in life.
The truth is a rabbit in a bramble patch. All you can do is circle around and say it's somewhere in there.
The West as a whole in the early 1990s become obsessed with a 'peace dividend' that would be spent over and over again on any number of soft-hearted and sometimes soft-headed causes. Politicians forget that the only real peace dividend is peace.
After reaching 50, I began to wonder what the root of life is.
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