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About this quote

What does it mean?
Prominent thinkers of the time are not speaking out or leading effectively.
In plain terms
Modern leaders of thought are silent.
What can you take from it?
Thinkers should speak up when needed.

Where it applies

  • evaluating leaders
  • critiquing culture
  • seeking guidance

Putting it to work

  • demand voice from leaders
  • speak up yourself

Questions to consider

  • Are today's thinkers silent?
  • What do you expect from leaders?

Another view

Some thinkers may work quietly without public speech.

More from Matthew Arnold

  1. Wandering between two worlds, one dead, The other powerless to be born, With nowhere yet to rest my head, Like these, on earth I wait forlorn.

    Permalink to quote #26

  2. But each day brings its petty dust Our soon-chok'd souls to fill, And we forget because we must, And not because we will.

    Permalink to quote #28

  3. For rigorous teachers seized my youth, And purged its faith, and trimm'd its fire, Show'd me the high white star of Truth, There bade me gaze, and there aspire.

    Permalink to quote #25

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