We may not stop until we have done our part to fashion a world in which there shall be some share of fellowship; which shall be better than a den of thieves. Let us not disguise the difficulties; and, above all, let us not content ourselves with nobel aspirations, counsels of perfection, and self-righteous advice to others. We shall need the wisdom of the serpent; we shall have to be content with short steps; we shall be obliged to give and take; we shall face the strongest passions of mankind - our own not the least; and in the end we shall have fabricated an imperfect instrument. But we shall not wholly have failed; we shall have gone forward, if we bring to our task a pure and chastened spirit, patience, understanding, sympathy, forbearance, generosity, fortitude, and, above all, an inflexible determination. The history of man has just begun; in the aeons which lie before him lie limitless hope or limitless despair. The choice is his; the present choice is ours. It is worth the trial.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Building a better world requires humble, practical steps and mutual understanding rather than perfectionism. Progress comes from persistence and moral character.
- In plain terms
- Work steadily toward a fair world with patience and humility.
- What can you take from it?
- Accept imperfect progress if you act with integrity and perseverance.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are you demanding too much from yourself or others?
- What small step can you take today?
Another view
Focusing on short steps may slow down necessary radical change.
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