Of the twenty-two civilizations that have appeared in history, nineteen of them collapsed when they reached the moral state the United States is in now.
Arnold J. ToynbeeRead
No being can be what he is unless he is putting his essence into action in his field.
Interpretation
What this quote means
You can only fulfill your true potential by actively engaging in your chosen pursuits.
This quote by Arnold J. Toynbee emphasizes the importance of taking action in order to realize one's true identity and potential. It suggests that mere existence is not enough; one must invest their essence—values, passion, and efforts—into their endeavors to truly become who they are meant to be.
Themes
EssenceActionPotentialIdentityEngagement
In practice
Example use cases
Motivational speeches at business conferences.
More from Arnold J. Toynbee
All quotes →It is a paradoxical but profoundly true and important principle of life that the most likely way to reach a goal is to be aiming not at that goal itself but at some more ambitious goal beyond it.
Arnold J. ToynbeeRead
Write regularly, day in and day out, at whatever times of day you find that you write best. Don't wait till you feel that you are in the mood. Write, whether you are feeling inclined to write or not.
Arnold J. ToynbeeRead
I do not believe that civilizations have to die because civilization is not an organism. It is a product of wills.
Arnold J. ToynbeeRead
Sooner or later, man has always had to decide whether he worships his own power or the power of God.
Arnold J. ToynbeeRead
Love's way of dealing with us is different from conscience's way. Conscience commands; love inspires. What we do out of love, we do because we want to.
Arnold J. ToynbeeRead
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The enemy? His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he came from. And if he was really evil at heart. What lies or threats led him on this long march from home. If he would not rather have stayed there in peace. War will make corpses of us all.
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If I was bound for hell, let it be hell. No more false heaven. No more damned magic.
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