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These days I see America identified more and more with material things, less and less with spiritual standards. These days I see America acting abroad as an arrogant, selfish, greedy nation interested only in guns and dollars, not in people and their hopes and aspirations. We need a faith that dedicates us to something bigger and more important than ourselves or our possessions. Only if we have that faith will we be able to guide the destiny of nations in this the most critical period of world history.

William O. Douglas#5

SocietyAmericaFaithMaterialismSpirituality

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author criticizes America's shift toward materialism and urges a return to spiritual values to guide national destiny.
In plain terms
America needs to focus on spirit, not just money and weapons.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize spiritual values over material gain to guide the nation.

Where it applies

  • national leadership
  • cultural critique
  • personal reflection

Putting it to work

  • cultivate faith
  • critique consumerism
  • advocate for people

Questions to consider

  • What faith guides your nation's destiny?
  • Is America too focused on material things?

Another view

Material security is often seen as a prerequisite for spiritual freedom.

More from William O. Douglas

  1. Absolute discretion is a ruthless master. It is more destructive of freedom than any of man's other inventions.

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  2. We need to be bold and adventurous in our thinking in order to survive.

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  3. We have here the problem of bigness. Its lesson should by now have been burned into our memory by Brandeis. The Curse of Bigness shows how size can become a me…

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