You need the living, loving heart of living, loving men and women to quicken other hearts, which can live too and love too, and, in their turn, will quicken others which are dying now.
Edward Everett HaleRead
It seems as if, for every dragon head that is lopped off, two more terrible appear. Seems so. But in truth, Life is gaining all the while. Brute force, such power as there seems to be in things, cannot stand against ideas which are eternal.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Challenges may multiply, but progress is steady and ideas endure.
This quote reflects on the nature of challenges and the resilient power of ideas. While difficulties may seem to increase in number and intensity, the essence of life and progress lies in the enduring strength of eternal ideas, which ultimately prevail over brute force and adversity.
Themes
LifeChallengesIdeasProgressResilience
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech highlighting the importance of perseverance.
More from Edward Everett Hale
All quotes →'Do you pray for the senators, Dr. Hale?' No, I look at the senators and I pray for the country.
Edward Everett HaleRead
Never bear more than one trouble at a time. Some people bear three kinds - all they have had, all they have now, and all they expect to have.
Edward Everett HaleRead
The Resurrection miracle is nothing to you and me if it is only an event of eighteen centuries bygone. Unless we can live the immortal life - unless we can receive God to his own home in these hearts of ours - the texts are nothing to us unless these daily lives illustrate them.
Edward Everett HaleRead
Life seeks life and loves life. The opening of a catkin of a willow, in the flight of the butterfly, in the chirping of a tree-toad or the sweep of an eagle - my life loves to see how others live, exults in their joy, and so far is partner in their great concern.
Edward Everett HaleRead
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.
Edward Everett HaleRead
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