If you think about all the gains our society has made, from independence to now, it wasn't government. It was activism. People think, 'Oh, Teddy Roosevelt established Yosemite National Park, what a great president.' BS. It was John Muir who invited Roosevelt out and then convinced him to ditch his security and go camping. It was Muir, an activist, a single person.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Activism by individuals like Muir caused major social gains, not government actions alone.
- In plain terms
- Ordinary people caused big changes, not just leaders.
- What can you take from it?
- One person's activism can change policy.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who influenced the leaders you know?
- What small action changed something?
Another view
Government policies often require broader support.
More from John Muir
No man was more influential than John Muir in preserving the Sierra's integrity. If I were to choose a single Californian to occupy the Hall of Fame, it would …
Permalink to quote #79 John Muir has been a role model to generations of Californians and to conservationists around the world. He taught us to be active and to enjoy- but at the sam…
Permalink to quote #81 John Muir talked even better than he wrote. His greatest influence was always upon those who were brought into personal contact with him. But he wrote well, an…
Permalink to quote #78
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