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
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.
In practice
Motivational speeches at business conferences.
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.
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.
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.
I do not believe that civilizations have to die because civilization is not an organism. It is a product of wills.
Sooner or later, man has always had to decide whether he worships his own power or the power of God.
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.
The world is a demon. It is a kingdom of which the puny ego is king. Put it away and stand firm.
A man does not always choose what his guardian angel intends.
It is not that there are no certainties, it is that it is an absolute certainty that there are no certainties.
In the end, one or the other will triumph - a funeral dirge will be sung over the Soviet republic or over world capitalism.
I hope corporations will dedicate a percentage of their top innovators' time to issues that could help people left out of the global economy. This kind of contribution is even more powerful than giving cash or offering employees' time off to volunteer. It is a focused use of what your company does best. It is a great form of creative capitalism, because it takes the brainpower and makes life better for the richest, and dedicates some of it to improving the lives of everyone else.
People who own property feel a sense of ownership in their future and their society. They study, save, work, strive and vote. And people trapped in a culture of tenancy do not.
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