Thus conscience does make cowards of us all; And thus the native hue of resolution Is slicked o'er with the pale cast of thought
William ShakespeareRead
Underlying the whole scheme of civilization is the confidence men have in each other, confidence in their integrity, confidence in their honesty, confidence in their future.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The foundation of civilization relies on trust among individuals regarding their integrity and honesty.
This quote emphasizes the essential role of trust in the functioning of society. It suggests that the very structure of civilization is built upon the belief that people will act with integrity and honesty, thereby fostering a positive outlook for the future. Without this mutual confidence, the social fabric would be weakened, leading to chaos and instability.
Themes
TrustConfidenceIntegrityHonestySociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about building strong communities, this quote illustrates the importance of trust.
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