Away with the cant of 'Measures not men!'-the idle supposition that it is the harness and not the horses that draw the chariot along.
George CanningRead
It is not the walls that make the city, but the people who live within them. The walls of London may be battered, but the spirit of the Londoner stands resolute and undismayed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A city's essence comes from its inhabitants rather than its physical structures.
This quote emphasizes the idea that the true identity and strength of a city lie in its people, not just in its buildings or infrastructure. George VI highlights the resilience of the Londoner, suggesting that despite the city's physical challenges, the spirit and character of the people endure and define the city itself.
Themes
CityPeopleSpiritResilienceCommunity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about urban development, one might say, 'Remember, it is not the walls that make the city, but the people who live within them.'
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