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About this quote

What does it mean?
Discontent with the status quo drives human progress and civilization.
In plain terms
Progress happens because people are not satisfied with how things are.
What can you take from it?
Challenge the status quo to drive progress.

Where it applies

  • reform movements
  • innovation
  • social change

Putting it to work

  • question norms
  • push for reform
  • embrace change

Questions to consider

  • Is discontent always good?
  • What stops stagnation?

Another view

It romanticizes discontent without addressing stability needs.

More from Eugene V. Debs

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  3. People are never quite so strange to each other as when they are forced into artificial, crowded and stifled relationship. I would rather be friendless out on …

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