“When our individual interests and prospects do not seem worth living for, we are in desperate need for something apart from us to live for. All forms of dedication, devotion, loyalty and self-surrender are in essence a desperate clinging to something which might give worth and meaning to our futile, spoiled lives.” NeedsGivingSelfSeemsMightFormIndividualInterestSocietyEssenceLoyaltySurrenderDevotionDesperateDedicationWorth LivingSpoiledClingingProspects Book:The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements Source: The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements
“Obsessive devotion to creating can spark that which is called 'genius.' Smarter or more gifted? The 'madness' is the insatiable drive to discover, achieve and create. Monomania can develop into 'genius,' as the individual delves deeper into the process leaving normal parameters behind.” IndividualProcessBehindsAchieveGeniusNormalCreatingMadnessLeavingDeeperDevotionSparksSmarterGiftedObsessiveInsatiableParameters Author:Paul Russo
“Prayer is intended to increase the devotion of the individual, but if the individual himself prays he requires no formula; he pours himself forth much more naturally in self-chosen and connected thoughts before God, and scarcely requires words at all. Real inward devotion knows no prayer but that arising from the depths of its own feelings.” IfsKnowsRealSelfFeelingsIndividualPrayerPrayingIncreaseDepthConnectedDevotionChosenFormulasInward Author:Wilhelm von Humboldt
“Of all ennobling sentiments, patriotism may be the most easily manipulated. On the one hand, it gives powerful expression to what is best in a nation's character: a commitment to principle, a willingness to sacrifice, a devotion to the community by the choice of the individual. But among its toxic fruits are intolerance, belligerence and blind obedience, perhaps because it blooms most luxuriantly during times of war.” GivingMayWarCharacterHandsChoicesIndividualNationsCommunityPowerfulPrinciplesSacrificeExpressionCommitmentBlindFruitDevotionObediencePatriotismWillingnessSentimentsToxicIntoleranceBlind ObedienceWillingness To SacrificeBelligerence Author:Nancy Gibbs