I have no doubt that it is possible to give a new direction to technological development, a direction that shall lead it back to the real needs of man, and that also means: to the actual size of man. Man is small, and, therefore, small is beautiful. To go for giantism is to go for self-destruction.
—E. F. Schumacher
Topics: Technology
Many people love in themselves what they hate in others.
—E. F. Schumacher
Topics: Manners, Behavior, Hate
Call a thing immoral or ugly, soul-destroying or a degradation of man, a peril to the peace of the world or to the well-being of future generations; as long as you have not shown it to be “uneconomic” you have not really questioned its right to exist, grow, and prosper.
—E. F. Schumacher
Topics: Economics
An attitude to life which seeks fulfillment in the single-minded pursuit of wealth—in short, materialism—does not fit into this world, because it contains within itself no limiting principle, while the environment in which it is placed is strictly limited.
—E. F. Schumacher
Topics: Attitude
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction.
—E. F. Schumacher
Topics: Intelligence, Simple Living, Technology, Genius, Simplicity
Our ordinary mind always tries to persuade us that we are nothing but acorns and that our greatest happiness will be to become bigger, fatter, shinier acorns; but that is of interest only to pigs. Our faith gives us knowledge of something better: that we can become oak trees.
—E. F. Schumacher
Topics: Confidence
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Konrad Adenauer German Statesman
- Ludwig van Beethoven German Composer
- Blaise Pascal French Philosopher, Scientist
- Charles Proteus Steinmetz German-born American Mathematician
- John Herschel English Mathematician
- Alfred North Whitehead English Mathematician, Philosopher
- Johann Jacob Zimmermann German Nonconformist Theologian
- Bertolt Brecht German Poet
- Erich Fromm German Social Philosopher
- Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi German Philosopher
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