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About this quote

What does it mean?
Traditions survive only when they are actively modified or expanded by new contributions. Static traditions eventually fade away.
In plain terms
Traditions live on only if people add new things to them.
What can you take from it?
Tradition requires adaptation to remain relevant.

Where it applies

  • cultural preservation
  • organizational culture
  • family customs

Putting it to work

  • update rituals to fit modern context
  • invite new contributions to traditions

Questions to consider

  • When does tradition become obsolete?
  • How much change is too much?

Another view

Too much change can erase the original meaning.

More from Henry James

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