#dual

It is the business of the very few to be independent; it is a privilege of the strong. And whoever attempts it, even with the best right, but without being OBLIGED to do so, proves that he is probably not only strong, but also daring beyond measure. He enters into a labyrinth, he multiplies a thousandfold the dangers which life in itself already brings with it; not the least of which is that no one can see how and where he loses his way, becomes isolated, and is torn piecemeal by some minotaur of conscience. Supposing such a one comes to grief, it is so far from the comprehension of men that they neither feel it, nor sympathize with it. And he cannot any longer go back! He cannot even go back again to the sympathy of men! ↗

— Friedrich Nietzsche

#independent #individual #business

The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. ↗

— Rudyard Kipling

#business

Everything is relative in this world, where change alone endures. ↗

— Leon Trotsky

#democracy #freedom #history #hope #individualism

I have always lived in a world in which I'm just a spot in history. My life is not the important point. I'm just part of the continuum, and that continuum, to me, is a marvelous thing. The history of life, and the history of the planet, should go on and on and on and on. I cannot conceive of anything in the universe that has more meaning than that." [Sheri S. Tepper: Speaking to the Universe, Locus Magazine, September 1998] ↗

— Sheri S. Tepper

#continuum #history #humanity #individuals #mankind

A great revolution in just one single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a society and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of humankind. ↗

— Daisaku Ikeda

#change #destiny #enable #further #great

when you are surrounded by sheep then it is easy to become one yourself. ↗

— Stephen Richards

#individualism #individuality #change

Your corn is ripe today; mine will be so tomorrow. 'Tis profitable for us both, that I should labour with you today, and that you should aid me tomorrow. I have no kindness for you, and know you have as little for me. I will not, therefore, take any pains upon your account; and should I labour with you upon my own account, in expectation of a return, I know I should be disappointed, and that I should in vain depend upon your gratitude. Here then I leave you to labour alone; You treat me in the same manner. The seasons change; and both of us lose our harvests for want of mutual confidence and security. ↗

— David Hume

#farming #individualism #selfishness #change

To be a jazz freedom fighter is to attempt to galvanize and energize world-weary people into forms of organization with accountable leadership that promote critical exchange and broad reflection. The interplay of individuality and unity is not one of uniformity and unanimity imposed from above but rather of conflict among diverse groupings that reach a dynamic consensus subject to questioning and criticism. As with a soloist in a jazz quartet, quintet or band, individuality is promoted in order to sustain and increase the creative tension with the group--a tension that yields higher levels of performance to achieve the aim of the collective project. ↗

— Cornel West

#critical-reflection #improve #individuality #jazz #jazz-freedom-fighter

Individually and collectively, Cherokee people possess an extraordinary ability to face down adversity and continue moving forward. ↗

— Wilma Mankiller

#adversity #cherokee #collectively #continue #down

You may not be able to change the world for the better, but the world is able to change you for the worst, don't give them the rock you stand on. ↗

— Anthony Liccione

#change #individualism #opposition #rights #rock