Throughout history many nations have suffered a physical defeat, but that has never marked the end of a nation. But when a nation has become the victim of a psychological defeat, then that marks the end of a nation.
Interpretation
A nation's survival relies more on its spirit and morale than on physical power.
This quote by Ibn Khaldun emphasizes the critical distinction between physical and psychological defeat. It suggests that while nations can endure physical losses, the true downfall occurs when they face a psychological defeat, which damages their identity, confidence, and unity, ultimately leading to their demise. This reflects the importance of mental resilience in the face of challenges.
In practice
Using this quote in a speech about national unity during challenging times.
Geometry enlightens the intellect and sets one's mind right. All of its proofs are very clear and orderly. It is hardly possible for errors to enter into geometrical reasoning, because it is well arranged and orderly. Thus, the mind that constantly applies itself to geometry is not likely to fall into error. In this convenient way, the person who knows geometry acquires intelligence.
All the sciences came to exist in Arabic. The systematic works on them were written in Arabic writing.
He who finds a new path is a pathfinder, even if the trail has to be found again by others; and he who walks far ahead of his contemporaries is a leader, even though centuries pass before he is recognized as such.
The past resembles the future more than one drop of water resembles another.
The natural tendency of representative government, as of modern civilisation, is towards collective mediocrity: and this tendency is increased by all reductions and extensions of the franchise, their effect being to place the principal power in the hands of classes more and more below the highest level of instruction in the community.
I am only 8 years old, I told myself. No little boy of 8 has ever murdered anyone. It's not possible.
I love the melodies in the Old Testament, how preachers highlight them when they read from the Scripture. But I was influenced forever by the New Testament. I love the Beatitudes, informing us that the meek shall inherit the earth.
Everyone who's in America spends the first few years not experiencing it. The person is frightened by the newness of the place and doesn't see things. Her emotional universe becomes the entire universe. And then when she thinks of home, her distance in space can seem like a distance in time.
Good order results spontaneously when things are let alone
There is superficial conflict but deep concord between science and theistic religion, but superficial concord and deep conflict between science and naturalism
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