Indeed, the most important part of engineering work-and also of other scientific work-is the determination of the method of attacking the problem, whatever it may be, whether an experimental investigation, or a theoretical calculation. ... It is by the choice of a suitable method of attack, that intricate problems are reduced to simple phenomena, and then easily solved.
Spiritual power is a force which history clearly teaches has been the greatest force in the development of men. Ye. we have been merely playing with it and never have really studied it as we have the physical forces. Some day people will learn that material things do not bring happiness, and are of little use in making people creative and powerful. Then the scientists of the world will turn their laboratories over to the study of spiritual forces which have hardly been scratched.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Spiritual power surpasses material goods in driving human development and creativity.
In this quote, Charles Proteus Steinmetz emphasizes the significance of spiritual power in human progress, highlighting that while material possessions have dominated our focus, true happiness and creativity stem from understanding and harnessing spiritual forces. He envisions a future where society recognizes the limitations of physical wealth and redirects scientific inquiry toward the exploration of these deeper, often overlooked spiritual dimensions.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on personal growth, one might say, 'As Steinmetz noted, true power comes from spiritual understanding, not material wealth.'
More from Charles Proteus Steinmetz
All quotes →Marking dynamos for repair $10,000.00-2 hours labor $10.00; knowing where to mark $9,990.00.
No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions.
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