QuoteProject
We've drifted away from being fishers of men to being keepers of the aquarium.
Paul Harvey
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote highlights the shift from actively spreading positive influence to merely maintaining a safe environment.

Paul Harvey's quote reflects on the idea that society has moved away from the proactive role of engaging and uplifting individuals ('fishers of men') to a more passive stance of simply preserving and protecting the status quo ('keepers of the aquarium'). It suggests a loss of ambition and purpose in seeking to influence lives positively, urging a return to the original calling of inspiring and guiding others.

Themes

InfluenceEngagementPurposeSocietyInspiration

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about leadership during a community meeting.

More from Paul Harvey

When your outgo exceeds your income, the upshot may be your downfall.
Paul HarveyRead
One vote. That's a big weapon you have there, Mister. In 1948, just one additional vote in each precinct would have elected Dewey. In 1960, one vote in each precinct in Illinois would have elected Nixon. One vote.
Paul HarveyRead
In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.
Paul HarveyRead
I've never seen a monument erected to a pessimist.
Paul HarveyRead
Oh, things always get better. Tomorrow will always be better. Just think about it . . . is there any time in history in which you'd rather live than now?
Paul HarveyRead
We were poor, but we didn't know it. There were no government bureaus in those days presuming to determine where poorness begins and ends, but I don't remember ever being hungry.
Paul HarveyRead

Similar quotes

Beautiful things grow to a certain height and then they fail and fade off, breathing out memories as they decay.
F. Scott FitzgeraldRead
I've always been fascinated with the stealing of innocence. It's the most heinous crime, and certainly a capital crime if there ever was one.
Clint EastwoodRead
It is being common-born that is dangerous, when the great lords play their game of thrones.
George R. R. MartinRead
Civilization has little to fear from educated people and brain-workers. In them the replacement of religious motives for civilized behaviors by other, secular motives, would proceed unobtrusively. . . .
Sigmund FreudRead
The first problem of the media is posed by what does not get translated, or even published in the dominant political languages.
Jacques DerridaRead
Plato used the dialogue format because the exchange of views, the posing and answering of questions, showed that understanding is a living, dynamic process. He distrusted writing because the settled character of the written word makes it look as if truth can be fixed and made to stand still. It is worth remembering that this greatest advocate of the objective reality of truth also believed that our access to that truth was sustained in reasoned discussion.
John Churchill, 1St Duke Of MarlboroughRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Paul Harvey | QuoteProject