Long live teachers of children, because they can show children how they can save the world.
Pete SeegerRead
How can you save the world you have not seen if you can't save the community you have seen?
Interpretation
What this quote means
We must address local issues before tackling larger global problems.
This quote by Pete Seeger emphasizes the importance of focusing on community and local actions as a prerequisite for making a positive impact on the wider world. It suggests that if one is unable to help those immediately around them, then they are ill-equipped to engage in efforts that require a broader perspective, such as saving the world at large.
Themes
CommunityChangeActionResponsibilityImpact
In practice
Example use cases
During a community meeting, to emphasize the importance of local action in environmental efforts.
More from Pete Seeger
All quotes →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.
Pete SeegerRead
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.
Pete SeegerRead
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 SeegerRead
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.
Pete SeegerRead
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
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