Thirty millions, mostly fools.
Thomas CarlyleRead
The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Interpretation
A good person's contributions are often unnoticed but essential for growth and nourishment.
This quote by Thomas Carlyle emphasizes the importance of the selfless acts performed by individuals who may not seek recognition. Just like an underground vein of water nourishes the soil without being seen, the hidden efforts of good people sustain and enhance the well-being of the community, illustrating that the impact of such kindness is profound yet often goes unacknowledged.
In practice
During a speech on community service, you can quote this to inspire others to recognize the value of hidden acts of kindness.
Thirty millions, mostly fools.
There is a great discovery still to be made in literature, that of paying literary men by the quantity they do not write.
For the superior morality, of which we hear so much, we too would desire to be thankful: at the same time, it were but blindness to deny that this superior morality is properly rather an inferior criminality, produced not by greater love of Virtue, but by greater perfection of Police; and of that far subtler and stronger Police, called Public Opinion.
Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil; it is the reducing of our moral self to slavery by them that is.
Clean undeniable right, clear undeniable might: either of these once ascertained puts an end to battle. All battle is a confused experiment to ascertain one and both of these.
Philosophy dwells aloft in the Temple of Science, the divinity of its inmost shrine; her dictates descend among men, but she herself descends not : whoso would behold her must climb with long and laborious effort, nay, still linger in the forecourt, till manifold trial have proved him worthy of admission into the interior solemnities.
The thing that will make the biggest difference to your business, your bank account, your health and your relationships in the next 12 months is your philosophy
Christ calls us to carry the Cross; churches call us to have fun in His name.
By the anxieties and worries of this life Satan tries to dull man's heart and make a dwelling for himself there.
Those who have won the ovarian lottery by being born in an advanced society to loving parents have a special obligation to help restore the American Dream.
You imagine the carefully pruned, shaped thing that is presented to you is truth. That is just what it isn't. The truth is improbable, the truth is fantastic; it's in what you think is a distorting mirror that you see the truth.
We have contradictory expectations of police: We want to be perfectly safe and perfectly free. We want total security and total privacy. We want the bad guys stopped and the good guys unmolested. That's great for the consumer; try providing it.
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