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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 Seeger
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Emphasizes the importance of small actions over large ones for meaningful change.

Pete Seeger suggests that rather than relying on large-scale efforts or movements, it is often the accumulation of many small, individual actions that lead to significant positive change in the world. He implies that big endeavors can lead to complications, while smaller, grassroots efforts are more manageable and effective in fostering change.

Themes

Small ActionsChangeWorldBig ThingsMeaningful Impact

In practice

Example use cases

In a keynote speech about environmental activism, one might refer to this quote to highlight community efforts.

More from Pete Seeger

Long live teachers of children, because they can show children how they can save the world.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Do-so is more important than say-so.
Pete SeegerRead

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