Un pays est fort quand il se compose de familles riches, dont tous les membres sont interesses a la defense du tresor commun: tresor d'argent, de gloire, de privileges, de jouissances; il est faible quand il se compose d'individus non solidaires, auxquels il importe peu d'obeir a sept hommes ou a un seul, a un Russe ou a un Corse, pourvu que chaque individu garde son champ; et ce malheureux egoiste ne voit pas qu'un jour on le lui otera.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A nation is strong when families share a common treasure; it is weak when individuals act selfishly and ignore collective duty.
- In plain terms
- Shared wealth unites a country; selfishness divides it.
- What can you take from it?
- Collective responsibility strengthens societies.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How can we balance personal ambition with collective good?
- What mechanisms foster solidarity?
Another view
Individual ambition can also drive innovation.
More from Honore de Balzac
La politesse cache tres-imparfaitement l'egoisme general.
Permalink to quote #87 L'homme subjugue par sa femme est justement couvert de ridicule. L'influence d'une femme doit etre entierement secrete.
Permalink to quote #89 L'homme qui nous parle est l'amant, l'homme qui ne nous parle plus est le mari.
Permalink to quote #86
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