Mystics understand the roots of the Tao but not its branches; scientists understand its branches but not its roots. Science does not need mysticism and mysticism does not need science; but man needs both.
Fritjof CapraRead
In the end, the aggressors always destroy themselves, making way for others who know how to cooperate and get along. Life is much less a competitive struggle for survival than a triumph of cooperation and creativity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that those who act aggressively will ultimately lead to their own downfall, while cooperation and creativity will prevail.
Fritjof Capra's quote reflects on the nature of human interactions, suggesting that aggressiveness and hostility ultimately lead to one's own destruction. In contrast, it celebrates the strength found in cooperation and creativity, indicating that a harmonious approach to life fosters growth and success more than mere competition does.
Themes
CooperationCreativityAggressionCompetitionSurvival
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about teamwork in the workplace.
More from Fritjof Capra
All quotes βBoth the physicist and the mystic want to communicate their knowledge, and when they do so with words their statements are paradoxical and full of logical contradictions.
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The more complex the network is, the more complex its pattern of interconnections, the more resilient it will be.
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During periods of relaxation after concentrated intellectual activity, the intuitive mind seems to take over and can produce the sudden clarifying insights which give so much joy and delight.
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The more we study the major problems of our time, the more we come to realise that they cannot be understood in isolation. They are systemic problems, which means that they are interconnected and interdependent.
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Ecology and spirituality are fundamentally connected, because deep ecological awareness, ultimately, is spiritual awareness.
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