It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- History is shaped by individual acts of courage that ripple out to overcome oppression.
- In plain terms
- Small brave actions by individuals combine to create big change.
- What can you take from it?
- Individual courage creates collective change over time.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What ripple of hope have you created?
- How do small acts change history?
Another view
Structural barriers can sometimes block individual efforts from gaining traction.
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