Sweet is the voice of a sister in the season of sorrow.
Benjamin DisraeliRead
You know, all is development. The principle is perpetually going on. First, there was nothing, then there was something; then-I forget the next-I think there were shells, then fishes; then we came-let me see-did we come next? Never mind that; we came at last. And at the next change there will be something very superior to us-something with wings. Ah! That's it: we were fishes, and I believe we shall be crows.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the ongoing evolution and transformation of life, suggesting that progress is a constant process that leads to better forms of existence.
In this quote, Benjamin Disraeli reflects on the idea of development and evolution, illustrating how every stage of existence is part of a continual journey towards improvement. He suggests that humanity has evolved from simple forms of life and anticipates further advancements in the future, implying that change is not only inevitable but also essential for progress. The notion of becoming 'something very superior' emphasizes hope and aspiration for a better future.
Themes
DevelopmentEvolutionChangeProgressTransformationFuture
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on evolution, one might use this quote to illustrate the concept of continuous development in nature.
More from Benjamin Disraeli
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Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.
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Yes, I am a Jew and when the ancestors of the right honorable gentleman were brutal savages in an unknown island, mine were priests in the temple of Solomon.
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The practice of politics in the East may be defined by one word: dissimulation.
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