A Greater Democracy Day by DayThe word democracy has been over-used and misused to the point it has begun to lose its meaning for many of us. When people start brandishing that word, we often suspect that they have a political agenda. A Greater Democracy Day by Day rehabilitates the word by bringing together 365 thought-provoking quotes from around the world and through time, all centered on this concept that is the keystone of modern society. The book presents a theme for each month and a quote about that theme to ponder on each day of the year. Like fingers pointing to the moon, these diverse daily readings point to the singular essence of democracy -- a greater democracy than any nation on earth has been able to achieve thus far -- the fuller democracy toward which we are growing. The format is user-friendly as well as inspirational. Throughout the year, the book focuses on twelve characteristic democratic themes such as interdependence or creativity and provides related quotations from individuals both famous and lesser-known. What emerges is a powerful sense of both the fragility and the durability of democracy in its many forms, as well as the ways its promise continues to prompt ordinary people to bring the angels of their better nature to the challenges they face. Quoted are such diverse figures as Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, Jr., Plato, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Socrates, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, St. Francis of Assisi, Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, Whoopi Goldberg, and all sort of less well-known individuals who have given thought and voice to the meaning of democracy (and in many cases acted on their ideals). This inspirational book cuts through the rhetoric to integrate practicalspiritual themes. It re-infuses democracy with meaning and inspires readers to new vision and positive action. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 44
Page 9
... live in a world blessed with abundant natural resources , beauty , and vibrant , diverse peoples . And yet , we also experi- ence accelerating inequality , the effects of war and environmental degra- dation , and a universal longing to ...
... live in a world blessed with abundant natural resources , beauty , and vibrant , diverse peoples . And yet , we also experi- ence accelerating inequality , the effects of war and environmental degra- dation , and a universal longing to ...
Page 11
... live in our land and in our hearts . They have been both illuminated and contested by leaders and ordinary people in every generation and are put into action by citizens every day . These perspectives - not least when they are under ...
... live in our land and in our hearts . They have been both illuminated and contested by leaders and ordinary people in every generation and are put into action by citizens every day . These perspectives - not least when they are under ...
Page 24
... live to see the great day that dawns , And the light that fills the world . Old INUIT SONG Jo JANUARY 26 n the forests of the River Amazon , as on the crest of the High Andes , I realized how , from pole to pole , as though animated by ...
... live to see the great day that dawns , And the light that fills the world . Old INUIT SONG Jo JANUARY 26 n the forests of the River Amazon , as on the crest of the High Andes , I realized how , from pole to pole , as though animated by ...
Page 25
... live together like one being . And I saw the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle , wide as daylight and as starlight , and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one ...
... live together like one being . And I saw the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle , wide as daylight and as starlight , and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one ...
Page 27
... lives manifested the same generosity and whose sacrifice enabled others to reach fulfillment . If , through the ages , the various cultures have admired such people who poured out their creative energies so that oth- ers might live — we ...
... lives manifested the same generosity and whose sacrifice enabled others to reach fulfillment . If , through the ages , the various cultures have admired such people who poured out their creative energies so that oth- ers might live — we ...
Contents
11 | |
29 | |
43 | |
Out of Many One | 57 |
Independence | 73 |
Emergence | 87 |
Creativity | 99 |
Spirit Within | 113 |
Right Relationship | 127 |
Love in Action | 141 |
Cooperation | 155 |
Agents of Change | 169 |
Index of Sources Quoted | 187 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
20th-century action ACTIVIST American APRIL ARTIST ATLEE AUGUST AUTHOR Berry best-selling BILL MOYERS books include Center century citizens CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER CO-AUTHOR OF UNIVERSAL CO-INTELLIGENCE CO-INTELLIGENCE INSTITUTE compassion cell compassionate Constitution cooperation courage create creative DECEMBER DECLARATION OF HUMAN DEE HOCK DORIS HADDOCK dream earth EDUCATOR ELEANOR ROOSEVELT faith fear FEBRUARY FOUNDER FRANCES MOORE LAPPÉ freedom Global GLOBAL SECURITY INSTITUTE Granny D greater democracy heart HUMAN RIGHTS ideas interdependence JANUARY JOHN JOURNALIST JULY JUNE justice Ken Wilber KENNEDY Lincoln listen MARCH Mardy MARGARET MARIANNE WILLIAMSON MARTIN LUTHER KING MARY PARKER FOLLETT never Nobel Prize NOVEMBER numbers OCTOBER ourselves PHILOSOPHER planet Poems POET AND WRITER political PRESIDENT Pulitzer Prize recent books SEPTEMBER social society soul SPIRITUAL TEACHER STATESMAN story SUPREME COURT teachings THEOLOGIAN Thich Nhat Hanh things THOMAS TOM ATLEE United Nations UNIVERSAL DECLARATION vision voices WENDELL BERRY Wisdom Council YOUNG DEMOCRATIC VISIONARY
Popular passages
Page 37 - Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
Page 16 - A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or, perhaps, both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.
Page 144 - Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much Seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Page 144 - O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Page 37 - Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Page 54 - It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Page 144 - What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness, but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or they be black.
Page 67 - I CELEBRATE myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
Page 123 - I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.