Long live teachers of children, because they can show children how they can save the world.
Pete SeegerRead
If there's a world here in a hundred years, it's going to be saved by tens of millions of little things. The powers-that-be can break up any big thing they want. They can corrupt it or co-opt it from the inside, or they can attack it from the outside. But what are they going to do about 10 million little things? They break up two of them, and three more like them spring up!
Interpretation
What this quote means
Small actions can lead to significant changes in the world, even against larger forces.
This quote by Pete Seeger emphasizes the power of collective individual actions in effecting change. While larger entities may have the ability to suppress or undermine significant movements, the resilience and proliferation of many small efforts can ultimately lead to lasting transformation and impact. Seeger's perspective encourages individuals to participate actively in meaningful actions, as they can accumulate and create a powerful force for good.
Themes
ChangeActionEmpowermentResilienceCollective
In practice
Example use cases
In a climate change conference, this quote can inspire participants to recognize the impact of grassroots initiatives.
More from Pete Seeger
All quotes →According to my definition of God, I'm not an atheist. Because I think God is everything. Whenever I open my eyes, I'm looking at God. Whenever I'm listening to something, I'm listening to God.
Pete SeegerRead
Songs are funny things. They can slip across borders. Proliferate in prisons. Penetrate hard shells. I always believed that the right song at the right moment could change history.
Pete SeegerRead
Well, normally I’m against big things. I think the world is going to be saved by millions of small things. Too many things can go wrong when they get big.” — Pete Seeger (on how he felt about attending his big 90th birthday bash last year)
Pete SeegerRead
I’ve never sung anywhere without giving the people listening to me a chance to join in - as a kid, as a lefty, as a man touring the U.S.A. and the world, as an oldster. I guess it’s kind of a religion with me. Participation. That’s what’s going to save the human race.
Pete SeegerRead
I write a song because I want to. I think the moment you start writing it to make money, you're starting to kill yourself artistically.
Pete SeegerRead
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When people made up their minds that they wanted to be free and took action, then there was a change.
Rosa ParksRead