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You will no longer believe that you 'don't count.' You will know and advocate your knowledge that you are the bearer of human society. Don't run away. Don't be afraid. It is not so terrible to be the responsible bearer of human society. Inflated leaders would have no soldiers and no arms if you clearly knew, and stood up for your knowledge, that a field has to yield wheat and a factory furniture or shoes, and not arms.

Wilhelm Reich#53

PoliticsSocietyEthicsResponsibilityEconomicsWarHumanityProductivity

About this quote

What does it mean?
You will recognize your importance to humanity and should not fear responsibility; if everyone understood their role, societies would focus on productive work rather than war.
In plain terms
Accept your role in humanity without fear; collective understanding would shift focus to productive creation.
What can you take from it?
Embrace responsibility as a path to societal improvement.

Where it applies

  • community leadership
  • political reform
  • social entrepreneurship

Putting it to work

  • educate yourself on societal impact
  • advocate for peaceful solutions
  • support sustainable industries

Questions to consider

  • What responsibilities feel manageable for you?
  • How can societies balance productivity and peace?

Another view

Not everyone can bear large‑scale responsibility; specialization matters.

More from Wilhelm Reich

  1. You beg for happiness in life, but security is more important to you, even if it costs you your spine or your life. Your life will be good and secure when aliv…

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  2. You are Great, Little Man, when you are not small and petty. You are great when you carry on your trade lovingly, when you enjoy carving and building and paint…

    Permalink to quote #54
  3. The kindly individual believes that all people are kindly and act accordingly. The plague individual believes that all people lie, swindle, steal and crave pow…

    Permalink to quote #51

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