There must appear a spiritual and moral leadership rising above economic and political situations. Governments in both their domestic and foreign policies appeal for popular support by promises of material gain. We cannot make peace by mere appeal to greed. We must give the peoples of the world something to live for as well as something to live on.
Interpretation
True leadership should focus on moral and spiritual values rather than just material gain.
This quote emphasizes the importance of moral and spiritual leadership in contrast to the common political practice of appealing to people's material desires. It suggests that real peace and fulfillment require leaders to provide meaningful ideals and goals for people to aspire to, not merely economic incentives. Leaders must inspire hope and purpose, not just comfort and wealth.
In practice
In a speech advocating for ethical leadership, one might reference this quote to highlight the need for leaders to inspire rather than exploit.
Religion must be used in furthering great works of justice and reform. It must be used to establish right relations between different groups of men, and thus to make a reality of brotherhood. It must be used to abolish poverty, the breeding ground of all misery and crime, by distributing equably among men the abundance of the soil. And it must be used to get rid of war and to establish enduring peace. Here is the supreme test of the effectiveness of religion.
The common belief that coaches must be abusive to be successful is a myth. Research shows that if you find a task fun, you'll perform better. If more coaches took . . . a Golden Rule approach to coaching, treating their players the way they themselves would like to be treated, fewer athletes would drop out of sports in their teens, and more athletes at every level would be happier and more satisfied.
Nothing is possible without men; nothing is lasting without institutions.
I believe we need leaders who actually want to lead everyone.
A good jockey doesn't need orders and a bad jockey couldn't carry them out anyway; so it's best not to give them any.
...the best leaders are servant leaders - they serve those they lead.
I think of those giants who made the Indian National Congress. Seldom has the world seen a nobler galaxy of women and men, so selfless in their devotion to the cause of freedom, so exalted in thought, so brave in action, so pure in spirit.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.