True parents do not see to it that their children grow in a particular way, according to a preferred pattern or scripted stages, but they see to it that they grow with their children.
A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote distinguishes between finite games, focused on winning, and infinite games, which prioritize ongoing engagement.
In this quote, James P. Carse presents a profound philosophical distinction between two types of experiences: finite games, where players compete to win and the game concludes when someone triumphs, and infinite games, where the objective is not to win but to keep the game alive and foster continuous interaction. This perspective encourages individuals to embrace a mindset focused on growth and collaboration rather than solely on victory and outcomes.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about teamwork, one could use this quote to emphasize collaboration over competition.
More from James P. Carse
All quotes βWhat I have experienced, and experienced repeatedly, is the silence of God. For many years, this was a distressing matter for me. I did not consider it an experience, but the absence of an experience.
To be prepared against surprise is to be trained. To be prepared for surprise is to be educated.
Similar quotes
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By reshaping or decorating our outer selves, we express our inner sense of self: 'I like that' becomes 'I'm like that.'
A cosmic philosophy is not constructed to fit a man; a cosmic philosophy is constructed to fit a cosmos. A man can no more possess a private religion than he can possess a private sun and moon.
The more I think about myself, the more I'm persuaded that, as a person, I really don't exist. That is one of the reasons why I can't believe in any orthodox religion: I cannot believe in my own soul. No, I am a chemical compound, conditioned by environment and education. My "character" is simply a repertoire of acquired tricks, my conversation a repertoire of adaptations and echoes, my "feelings" are dictated by purely physical, external stimuli.
Yoga is a generic name for any discipline by which one attempts to pass out of the limits of one's ordinary mental consciousness into a greater spiritual consciousness.
When conscious activity is wholly concentrated on some one definite purpose, the ultimate result, for most people, is lack of balance accompanied by some form of nervous disorder.