Civilization is first of all a moral thing. Without truth, respect for duty, love of neighbor, and virtue, everything is destroyed. The morality of a society is alone the basis of civilization.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Passion is essential for realizing one's potential and creativity.
In this quote, Amiel conveys the idea that without passion, a person cannot truly express their capabilities or talents. Just as flint needs a strike of iron to ignite a spark, humans require a driving force, like passion, to activate their latent abilities and achieve meaningful outcomes in life.
Themes
PassionPotentialMotivationCreativityForce
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire students during a graduation speech to pursue their dreams with passion.
More from Henri Frederic Amiel
All quotes βMan never knows what he wants; he aspires to penetrate mysteries and as soon as he has, wants to re-establish them. Ignorance irritates him and knowledge cloys.
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Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.
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Any landscape is a condition of the spirit.
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True love is that which ennobles the personality, fortifies the heart, and sanctifies the existence.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
It is by teaching that we teach ourselves, by relating that we observe, by affirming that we examine, by showing that we look, by writing that we think, by pumping that we draw water into the well.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
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