Our aims in political activism are not, and should not be, to create a perfect utopia. What we seek is more simply to improve the quality of human life while at the same time respecting the natural environment which sustains it: 'Not a heaven on earth but a better earth on earth.' This is not at all a timid agenda, far from it. The work ahead of us is enormous!
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Activism aims to improve life and respect nature, not create utopia. The work is huge but not timid.
- In plain terms
- Goal is a better earth not perfection.
- What can you take from it?
- Focus on practical improvement rather than perfect utopia.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does a better earth look like to you?
- How do we balance ambition with realism?
Another view
Some may argue utopian goals inspire necessary radical change.
More from Paul Wellstone
Never separate the life you live from the words you speak.
Permalink to quote #10 Our politics are our deepest form of expression: they mirror our past experiences and reflect our dreams and aspirations for the future.
Permalink to quote #12 If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them.
Permalink to quote #9
Related quotes
If Soviet society is to move forward with confidence toward our great goals, each new generation must rise to an ever-higher level of learning and general cult…
Konstantin ChernenkoKonstantin Chernenko quote #2 The vast material displacements the machine has made in our physical environment are perhaps in the long run less important than its spiritual contributions to…
Lewis MumfordLewis Mumford quote #2 If I have some celebrity, I hope I can use it to make a difference. The true social reward is that I can speak my mind and share my thoughts about the environm…
River PhoenixRiver Phoenix quote #2