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About this quote

What does it mean?
Human progress comes from conscience and thought rather than physical force or political systems. Wisdom grows from quiet inner voices.
In plain terms
Brains and conscience matter more than armies or governments.
What can you take from it?
Inner wisdom drives human progress more than force.

Where it applies

  • ethical leadership
  • personal growth
  • social reform

Putting it to work

  • listen to conscience
  • value intellect
  • promote wisdom

Questions to consider

  • What guides your better judgments?
  • Does power or wisdom matter more?

Another view

Physical force sometimes decides history regardless of conscience.

More from James Russell Lowell

  1. I do not believe in violent changes, nor do I expect them. Things in possession have a very firm grip. One of the strongest cements of society is the convictio…

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  2. An appeal to the reason of the people has never been known to fail in the long run.

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  3. The democratic theory is that those Constitutions are likely to prove steadiest which have the broadest base, that the right to vote makes a safety - valve of …

    Permalink to quote #99

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