Words from Others on this Topic

There is but one solution to the intricate riddle of life; to improve ourselves, and contribute to the happiness of others.

Mary Shelley, 1826, from the book The Last Man

We have hands that must work, brains that must think, and personalities that must be developed.

Lauretta Bender, 1916, as quoted in The Secret History of Wonder Woman

You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorders of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then – to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting.

T. H. White, 1958, from the book The Once and Future King

People ask me to predict the future, when all I want to do is prevent it. Better yet, build it. Predicting the future is much too easy, anyway. You look at the people around you, the street you stand on, the visible air you breathe, and predict more of the same. To hell with more. I want better.

Ray Bradbury, 1979, from the essay “Beyond 1984: The People Machines”

Relevant Reference Models

Mastery - Drive

• An element of Motivational Factors for Complex Work

Mastery - DRAMMA

• An element of DRAMMA Model

Competence - SDT

• An element of Self-Determination Theory

The Hero Instinct

• An element of The Tribal Instincts

Valuable Contributor Need

• An element of Needs Hierarchy