As much as the world has an instinct for evil and is a breeding ground for genocide, holocaust, slavery, racism, war, oppression, and injustice, the world has an even greateer instinct for goodness, rebirth, mercy, beauty, truth, freedom and love.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the dual nature of humanity, highlighting both our capacity for evil and our greater inclination towards goodness and love.
Desmond Tutu reflects on the contrasting aspects of human nature and the world we live in. While acknowledging the pervasive presence of evil—manifested through acts like genocide, slavery, and oppression—he holds up the notion that humanity possesses an even stronger instinct towards goodness and positive values such as mercy, beauty, and love. This perspective encourages hope and resilience in the face of adversity, suggesting that despite the darkness in the world, the potential for redemption and kindness prevails.
In practice
During a speech on human rights, this quote can inspire the audience to focus on the positive actions we can take to combat evil in the world.
The fossil reserves that have already been discovered exceed what can ever be safely used. Yet companies spend half a trillion dollars each year searching for more fuel. They should redirect this money toward developing clean energy solutions
When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.
Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are.
Religion is like a knife: you can either use it to cut bread, or stick in someone's back.
Gaza is going to test who believes in the worth of human beings.
Where we come from does not determine who we can become. What we look like places no limits on what we can achieve. We should all have the right to express ourselves, all have the right to be heard, all have the right to be what we can be: To reach for the sky and touch the stars. No matter who we are, no matter whether we are man or woman, or rich or poor: _x000D_ My voice, my right. My voice counts.
It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such a one as is unworthy of him; for the one is only belief - the other contempt.
This practice of yoga is to remove the weeds from the body so that the garden can grow.
Human decision-making is complex. On our own, our tendency to yield to short-term temptations, and even to addictions, may be too strong for our rational, long-term planning.
When the yogi starts to meditate, he must leave behind all sensory thoughts and all longings for possessions by quieting the waves of feeling (chitta), and the mental restlessness that arises therefrom, through the application of techniques that reinstate the controlling power of the untrammeled superconsciousness of the soul.
People on a spiritual path - personal growth, spiritual practice, recovery, yoga and so forth - are the last people who should be sitting out the social and political issues of our day.
If dandelions were rare and fragile, people would knock themselves out to pay $14.95 a plant, raise them by hand in greenhouses, and form dandelion societies and all that. But, they are everywhere and don't need us and kind of do what they please. So we call them weeds and murder them at every opportunity
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