If the present civilisation does not acquire some stable moral fondations (“bases morales stables”, Fr.), its existence will hardly be more assured than that of the civilisations that have preceeded it, and which have fallen (or collapse, or failed).
AFRIKAN SPIROutward, thanks to the knowledge of physical laws, man could subdue (or subjugate…) nature, but inwardly, he remained a slave to it.
More Afrikan Spir Quotes
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To sacrifice the moral to the physical, as is done in these days, is to sacrifice reality for a shadow.
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True morality, true philosophy and true art are in their essence (“dans leur essence”, Fr.) religious.”
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The appalling and shameful scene (“spectacle”, Fr.) of disarray and illogicality that manifest itself in the thought and deeds of men, will no longer be seen, once these will possess an enlighten consciouness.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The supreme blossoming of character lies (or reside) in renounciation (or renuncement) and abnegation of self (“abnégation de soi”, Fr.)
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What is the use for a man to have at his disposal a large field of action, if within himself he remains confine to the narrow limits of his individuality.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
There are some who esteem that it is a naivety to believe that a moral regeneration may be possible (“soit possible”, Fr.); now, if this was not the case, it would not be worth the trouble that humanity continue to vegetate without aim.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
Men spend their life down here in the worship of petty (or mean) interests and the search of perishable things, and with that (“et avec cela”, Fr.) they pretend to perpetuate for all eternity their self (“moi”, Fr.) so hardly worthy (“digne”, Fr.) of it.
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The more his character, by rising above material contingencies, widen, become free and independent.
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Apart from selfish reasons, such as fear of punishments, fear of blame, of dishonour, etc, there remains only two motives that can stop (or prevent, “empâecher”, Fr.) men from acting badly.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
Experience shows that what great role pratice and experience play in education; pratice, the prolonged exercice lead to habit: exemple suggests imitation.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The fact that men have a same origin and live in the same universe means that they are representatives of a same unity.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
System that maintain among nations a a perpetual distrust and tension, impose on them (or force or compel, “leur impose”, Fr.) formidable armies and crushing war budgets.
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The divine element manifests itself (or show up) in man as well by his aptitude for science, than by his aptitude for virtue.
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To reform society, and with it humanity, there is only one mean; to transform the mentality of men, to direct them (“les orienter”, Fr.) in a new spirit.
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Nothing that rest on some contradictory basis shall succeed or last in the long run (“ne saurait réussir ou durer, à la longue”, Fr.); all that involve (or imply…) a contradiction is fatally destined, early or late, to disintegrate and disappear.
AFRIKAN SPIR