The real problems of our planet are not economic or technical, they are philosophical. The philosophy of unbridled materialism is being challenged by events.
E. F. SchumacherRead
Man's needs are infinite, and infinitude can be achieved only in the spiritual realm, never in the material.
Interpretation
True fulfillment comes from spiritual wealth rather than material possessions.
E. F. Schumacher emphasizes that while human desires may seem endless, genuine satisfaction and completeness can only be found in spiritual pursuits, highlighting the limitations of material wealth in addressing the deeper needs of the human soul.
In practice
During a seminar on personal development, this quote could be used to underline the importance of inner growth.
The real problems of our planet are not economic or technical, they are philosophical. The philosophy of unbridled materialism is being challenged by events.
The substance of man cannot be measured by Gross National Product.
The printing press is either the greatest blessing or the greatest curse of modern times, sometimes one forgets which it is.
By means of trees, wildlife could be conserved, pollution decreased, and the beauty of our landscapes enhanced. This is the way, or at least one of the ways, to spiritual, moral, and cultural regeneration.
We still have to learn how to live peacefully, not only with our fellow men but also with nature and, above all, with those Higher Powers which have made nature and have made us; for, assuredly, we have not come about by accident and certainly have not made ourselves
The heart of the matter, as I see it, is the stark fact that world poverty is primarily a problem of two million villages, and thus a problem of two thousand million villagers.
As if they were our own handiwork we place a high value on our characters.
When people say they don't want a nanny state, they are, in fact, in a conflicted state of mind. On the one hand, they want to do whatever they want and not be stopped. On the other hand, if something goes wrong, they want to be rescued.
The beneficial effect of state intervention, especially in the form of legislation, is direct, immediate, and so to speak, visible, while its evil effects are gradual and indirect and lay out of sight ... Hence the majority of mankind must almost of necessity look with undue favor upon governmental intervention.
All of our people all over the country-except the pure-blooded Indians-are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, including even those who came over here on the Mayflower.
In other words, we are never freer than when we become most ourselves, most human, most just, most excellent, and the like.
Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea,_x000D_ _x000D_ But bad mortality o'ersways their power,_x000D_ _x000D_ How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea,_x000D_ _x000D_ Whose action is no stronger than a flower?
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