A good spicy quote can help put things into perspective. We have our own changing list of quotes on this platform, at the bottom of the page.
Google tells me that “development” is mainly of the “Smile! Life is beautiful” style (think self-development, self-help and self-growth). On MDGs, Kofi Annan is leading the way.
Here are some quotes which apply or could be applied to international development, environment and our own role in the process of making the world a better place.
Quotes
Some people stay away from the door for the chance of it opening up. Billy Joel
Forget about making poverty history. Climate change will make poverty permanent. Nazmul Chowdhury
Don’t throw anything away. There is no “away”. Royal Dutch Shell advert
Unless we change direction, we are likely to end up where we are going. Chinese proverb
Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first. Mark Twain
All things are possible once enough human beings realize that everything is at stake. Norman Cousins
Poverty is like punishment for a crime you didn’t commit. Eli Khamarov
The poor are poor because the rich are rich. Author unknown
All the people like us are we, and everyone else is They. Rudyard Kipling
In these times you have to be an optimist to open your eyes when you awake in the morning. Carl Sandburg
The more things change, the more they remain... insane. Michael Fry and T. Lewis
There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew. Marshall McLuhan
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former. Albert Einstein
The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be. Paul Valery
My personal favourites:
The problem with common sense is that it’s not very common. Author untraceable
Until the lions produce their own historian, the story of the hunt will glorify the hunter. African proverb
What do I think about Western civilization? I think it would be a good idea. Mahatma Gandhi
Out of context but nevertheless funny:
What is wrong with you people? Are you nuts? Woody Allen
What would you add?
Photos: sky with words by Lomo-Cam, four in one by paulocapella.com, grass by kevindooley, beach by Katie Tegtmeyer, all via flickr.
All for one, one for all. Three musketeers
Hi Giedre,
I like posts like this a lot. Funny quote from Africa about the lion. More so because I am about to upload a topic on hunting.
My quote from Bishop Desmond Tutu:
“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.”
I like the Chinese proverb. Unless we change direction, we are likely to end up where we are going. Nice Giedre. Thanks.
Thanks guys!
Radka, classic.
Johan, good one, thank you. I saw Tutu recently on a BBC series, where he was chatting with all sorts of experts at a dinner table about Africa’s development. Shame the online BBC iPlayer is only watchable in the UK.
Iris, having in mind that we are not going anywhere peaceful and quiet, I guess we do have to change direction.
I like the one from Mark Twain and I just love the post, Giedre!
This is a quote that I read somewhere years ago, but it sticks in my head forever (sadly I’m forgotten whose it is):
“When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.”
Giedre:
Please may we use that quote you found about lions? It is fantastic!
@Hanna, thank you! The quote that got stuck in your head is by archbishop Hélder Câmara, the original in Portuguese is Quando dou comida aos pobres chamam-me de santo. Quando pergunto por que eles são pobres chamam-me de comunista. Great addition to the list!
@Lion Aid, of course you can! Most of the quotes here are from various internet sources, but this one is from my New Internationalist Yearly Planner 2010. I wish I made them up myself but no
Dear Lions, keep up the good work you’re doing!
I love this one: “Forget about making poverty history. Climate change will make poverty permanent.” Nazmul Chowdhury
I’d add:
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got”
Cheers Clare!
I like this one the most,“The poor are poor because the rich are rich”.I’d add:They pee on us and we have to say it’s raining.Castelao.
Sigue asi.
Gracias Bixente. Cheers
Great quotes. One of my favorites:
“No one can help everybody, but everybody can help somebody.”
William Arthur Ward
“Don’t throw anything away. There is no “away”. Royal Dutch Shell advert” - that is very true, but I was surprised to see it come from Shell
The Gandhi qoute in teh end is my personal favourite.
Maybe Shell meant something else? And unintentionally created an environmental quote
Gandhi’s is one of my favourite ones too. I first heard it during a uni lecture on de-colonization I think.
What do I think about Western civilization? I think it would be a good idea. Mahatma Gandhi
is great!
Indeed Hussam!